Lassa Fever Kills 237, Spreads To 116 LGAs

Nigeria has recorded 1,000 confirmed cases of Lassa fever and 237 deaths as the disease spread across 23 states and 116 Local Government Areas (LGAs), according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).

The latest figures, contained in the NCDC’s epidemiological Week 30 report, show that 17 new confirmed cases and six deaths were recorded during the week. Suspected cases also rose to 6,960 nationwide.

Data from the report showed that 227 new suspected cases were recorded in Week 30, up from 173 in Week 29. However, confirmed cases fell from 20 to 17 over the same period, suggesting a slowdown in new infections.

The cumulative figures rose from 983 confirmed cases and 231 deaths in Week 29 to 1,000 confirmed cases and 237 deaths in Week 30.

Despite the drop in weekly confirmed cases, the NCDC warned that the continued occurrence of infections and deaths highlights the need for sustained vigilance, early detection and prompt response measures.

The agency urged Nigerians to maintain clean surroundings, prevent rodent infestation, store food in covered containers, dispose of waste properly and seek early medical attention if they experience symptoms such as fever, weakness, headache or bleeding.