Lassa Fever

In Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, 190 people have died this year from Lassa fever, a viral disease transmitted from animals to humans. Jide Idris, Director of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), confirmed a worrying rise in both cases and fatalities nationwide. According to Idris, 9,492 suspected Lassa fever cases have been reported this year, with 1,154 testing positive. The outbreak has claimed 190 lives, and the fatality rate remains alarmingly high. In response, the Nigerian government has designated three drugs for treatment. Lassa fever was first identified in Nigeria in 1969 in the northeastern Borno State. The disease is spread through contact with rat droppings, can be transmitted person-to-person, and causes severe hemorrhagic fever, often fatal. Health authorities are urging Nigerians to avoid contact with rodents and other pests to help prevent the further spread of the disease.

Lassa fever has claimed 21 lives in Nigeria’s Edo State, where the disease has spread to various regions. Dr. Joseph Okoeguale, a health official, reported 240 confirmed cases in the state. This year, over 170 people have died nationwide due to the outbreak. The government has identified three medications for treatment. Lassa fever was first detected in Nigeria in 1969 in Borno State and has since appeared in several African countries, including Mali, Togo, Ghana, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. The Nigerian government declared a state of emergency for Lassa fever on January 23, 2019. The disease is transmitted through contact with rodent droppings and can spread from person to person, causing severe hemorrhagic fever. Authorities have warned the public to avoid contact with rats and other rodents.

The disease, transmitted through contact with rat excrement, can be transmitted from person to person and leads to fatal hemorrhagic fever.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported fresh cases of Lassa fever