In one year Lassa fever death toll hits 154 in Nigeria

– A new statistics shows that Nigeria has recorded about 284 Lassa fever cases with 154 deaths from August 2015 to date

– In May, 2016, the World Health Organisation (WHO) put the total cases of Lassa fever in Nigeria at 273 including 149 deaths between August 2015 and May 17, 2016

– Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, the Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) said early detection and reporting of cases reduces the risk of further transmission

A new statistics shows that Nigeria has recorded about 284 Lassa fever cases with 154 deaths from August 2015 to date. In May, 2016, the World Health Organisation (WHO) put the total cases of Lassa fever in Nigeria at 273 including 149 deaths between August 2015 and May 17, 2016.

With the recent outbreak in parts of the country, a breakdown shows that since August 2015, 12 health care workers have been infected with the Lassa fever virus, of which four have died. Nigeria currently has two national laboratories supporting the laboratory confirmation preocedure of Lassa fever cases using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests. All samples were also tested for Ebola, Dengue, and Yellow fevers and so far have been negative. The two laboratories currently operational are the Virology laboratory, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH.” Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, the Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) in a statement, said early detection and reporting of cases significantly improves the likelihood of survival for the cases and also reduces the risk of further transmission.

All states are urged to report cases immediately for Lassa fever while improving on the timeliness of their reporting generally. Recently, a medical doctor and two others died of Lassa fever in Anambra State. The medical doctor, who was reported to have died at Nnamdi Azikiwe university teaching hospital was referred to the hospital from Asaba, Delta state.