Lassa Fever Outbreak: 174 Dead in Nigeria, 1,000 Cases Confirmed

According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), the outbreak of Lassa Fever in Nigeria has resulted in the death of 174 persons.

NCDC confirmed that no fewer than 1,035 cases have been recorded across Nigeria as of October 13, 2024.

The Director General of the NCDC, Dr Jide Idris, made this disclosure while briefing newsmen in Abuja.

According to him, 28 states and 129 local government areas in Nigeria have now been affected, with over 8,569 suspected cases reported already.

While calling for every person to adopt preventive measures, he lamented that, “The numbers reflect an intensifying situation, as more regions continue to confirm cases.”

Records show that, in 2022, 1,067 confirmed cases across 27 states and 112 local government areas were recorded in Nigeria, with 227 person dying as a result by the end of the year.

The year 2023 recorded 1,270 cases and 227 deaths.

“We are witnessing a steady rise in Lassa fever cases across more states, driven by enhanced surveillance, increased community awareness, and worsening environmental conditions from climate change and harmful human practices.

“When heads of households contract Lassa fever, they are often unable to work, and the associated costs of treatment place a heavy financial burden on families, driving many into poverty.

“Every life lost to this disease represents a family member, a spouse, or a parent. The loss of experienced medical personnel due to infection further strains our already limited healthcare workforce,” Idris explained.

For those who may not know, Lassa Fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic fever caused by the Lassa virus.

It is mostly spread through contact with the urine or faeces of infected multimammate rats–which are commonly found in West Africa.