Posted on: Mon 09-01-2023

The death toll from the Lassa fever outbreak in Nigeria in 2022 was 189, according to a situation report by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control.

The report obtained by our correspondent on Saturday showed that the confirmed cases for last year puts the number at 1,067 across 112 local government areas and 27 states.

The 52nd-week report from December 26 to January 1, 2023, revealed that the suspected cases were now 8,202. It also revealed that 63 health care workers were infected by the disease.

The report read in part, “In week 52, the number of new confirmed cases decreased from 17 in week 51, 2022, to 12 cases. These were reported from Edo, Ebonyi, and Benue states.

“Cumulatively from week 1 to week 52, 2022, 189 deaths have been reported with a case fatality rate of 17.7 per cent which is lower than the CFR for the same period in 2021 (20.0 per cent). In total for 2022, 27 States have recorded at least one confirmed case across 112 Local Government Areas.

“72 per cent of all confirmed Lassa fever cases were reported from these three states (Ondo, Edo, and Bauchi) while 23 per cent were reported from 24 states with confirmed Lassa fever cases. Of the 72 per cent of confirmed cases, Ondo State reported 33 per cent, Edo 25 per cent, and Bauchi 14 per cent.

“The predominant age group affected is 21-30 years (Range: 1 to 90 years, Median Age: 30 years). The male-to-female ratio for confirmed cases is 1:0.8.

“The number of suspected cases has increased compared to that reported for the same period in 2021. No new healthcare worker was affected in the reporting week 52.

“National Lassa fever multi-partner, multi-sectoral Technical Working Group continues to coordinate the response activities at all levels.”

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