- Safiu Kehinde
The Federal Government has raised alarm over an impending surge in cases of Lassa fever in the country.
This was disclosed by Dr Jide Idris, Director General, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), at a news conference in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city, on Wednesday.
While noting that the country has experienced a decline in cases of various diseases, Idris, however, expressed concern as we approach the Lassa fever season, which typically occurs annually.
“Given the seasonal nature of Lassa fever, we anticipate a potential increase in cases over the next few months.
“As such, we are proactively intensifying our preparedness efforts to mitigate impact of the expected surge,” he said.
According to the NCDC DG, the country had reported 7,973 suspected Lassa fever cases, with 982 confirmed cases and 168 deaths, resulting in 17.1 per cent case fatality rate.
“Lassa fever is a viral hemorrhagic fever transmitted through rodents, causing fever, bleeding, and death,” he added.
He, however, announced a decline in disease outbreaks across the country, with a significant reduction in reported yellow fever, diphtheria, and cholera cases.
He said that as of September, 1,728 suspected yellow fever cases had been reported, of which 43 tested positive.
Idris stressed further that 36 states of the federation and the FCT had been affected, and 496 Local Government Areas had reported cases.
“Yellow fever is a viral disease causing fever, headache, and nausea, potentially leading to hemorrhaging, organ failure, and death if untreated.
“The NCDC says vaccination is the best prevention.
“Eight cases have been confirmed, with two deaths reported, resulting in a 0.1 per cent case fatality rates in the reporting week, “ he said.