Lassa fever kills 252 in Nigeria as confirmed cases exceed 1,000

Rising fatalities

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed that 252 people have died from Lassa fever this year while total infections reached 1,035 across 23 states, with officials noting that the case-fatality rate has climbed to 24.4 percent — significantly higher than the 18.6 percent recorded during the same period last year.

The agency identified 14 new confirmed cases during epidemiological week 33, covering Aug. 10-16, up from four cases the previous week, with infections detected in Ondo, Edo, Bauchi and Benue states. The latest situation report showed two additional deaths during the reporting period, bringing the cumulative toll to 252 from 1,035 confirmed cases — up from 159 deaths out of 854 cases recorded last year.

Geographic spread

Lassa fever has spread to 117 local government areas nationwide, with five states — Ondo, Bauchi, Taraba, Edo and Benue — accounting for 87 percent of all confirmed cases, the NCDC said. People aged 21-30 remain the most affected demographic, while 151 suspected cases were investigated during the latest reporting week alone.

Disease profile

The viral hemorrhagic disease spreads to humans through contact with food or household items contaminated by infected rodent urine or feces, with person-to-person transmission also occurring in healthcare settings. Health authorities have urged Nigerians to maintain strict hygiene, avoid rodent contact and seek immediate medical care if symptoms including fever, weakness or unexplained bleeding appear, as surveillance measures continue nationwide.