The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) said it has sent letters to states to alert the authorities on the disturbing trend of Lassa fever outbreak in the country.
In its latest situation report on the disease published recently, the agency
revealed that a total of 102 infected people died from the disease in
2021.
A breakdown of the report on Week 52 which covers December 27,
2021, to January 2, 2022, shows that three new deaths were recorded.
The predominant age group affected, according to the NCDC, is 21-30
years while the male to female ratio for confirmed cases is 1 : 0.9.
It, however, indicated that the number of suspected cases decreased
compared to the figure reported for the same period in 2020.
While no new healthcare worker was affected in the reporting Week 52,
the NCDC gave an assurance that the national Lassa fever multi-partner
and multi-sectoral Technical Working Group (TWG) have continued to
coordinate the response activities at all levels.
Lassa virus is transmitted to man by infected multi-mammate rats and
humans become infected from direct contact with the urine and faeces of
the rat carrying the virus.
