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Oluwatobiloba Jaiyeola
The death toll of the Lassa fever outbreak in Nigeria has risen to 169, according to the latest situation report by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control.
The NCDC said the number of suspected cases had increased in comparison to that reported for the same period in 2021.
The recent weekly report by the National agency which covered August 22 to 28, 2022, shows that the number of new confirmed cases decreased from six in week 34, 2022 to five cases.
“These were reported from Ondo and Edo States,” it said.
Data from the latest situation report also revealed that there are 6,471suspected cases and 899 confirmed cases of the infection across 101 Local Government Areas in 25 states.
The report read, “Cumulatively from week 1 to week 34, 2022, 169 deaths have been reported with a case fatality rate (CFR) of 18.8% which is lower than the CFR for the same period in 2021 (22.7%),
“In total for 2022, 25 States have recorded at least one confirmed case across 101 Local Government Areas.
“Of all confirmed cases, 70% are from Ondo (31%), Edo (26%), and Bauchi (13%) States.
“The predominant age group affected is 21-30 years (Range: 0 to 90 years, MedianAge: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.
The NCDC further stated that no new healthcare worker was affected in week 34,
“National Lassa fever multi-partner, multi-sectoral Technical Working Group continues to coordinate the response activities at all levels,” the National agency noted saying.
Lassa fever is a zoonotic disease linked with high morbidity and mortality, and it has both economic and health security implications.
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