Since the start of the year, at least 163 people have died from Lassa fever, with 933 cases confirmed in the West African country.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDCP) has reported that 163 people have died from Lassa fever so far this year, with 933 cases confirmed. At the same time in 2023, 165 deaths were reported from 165 confirmed cases.
For 2024, Lassa fever has been recorded in 28 states and 125 local government areas across Nigeria, which includes 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Bauchi, Edo, and Ondo states account for 65% of all confirmed cases. The most affected age group is 31-40 years, and the male-to-female ratio for confirmed cases is 1:1.
Authorities are actively working to control the outbreak, with the National Lassa Fever Multi-Partner, Multi-Sectoral Technical Working Group leading response efforts. Lassa fever is a viral hemorrhagic illness endemic in rats, and humans contract it through contact with food or items contaminated with rodent waste.
