The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, NCDCP, has disclosed that Nigeria recorded a total of 366 deaths from Lassa and meningitis diseases in 24 States of the Federation.
The Centre made this latest disclosure via its official website on Friday. This is as it highlighted the continued public health challenge posed by these diseases.
According to the Centre, from January 1 to May 18, the NCDCP, confirmed 733 cases of Lassa fever from 5,118 suspected infections across 18 states and 95 Local Government Areas.
It stated that within the same period, 141 Lassa fever-related deaths, were recorded. Representing a case fatality rate of 19.2 percent.
NCDCP stated that in Week 20 alone, new infections jumped from three to 13 cases in Edo, Ondo, and Benue States.
“The case fatality rate stands at 19.2 per cent, slightly higher than 18.3 per cent in 2024. Indicating that one in five people infected is dying. This is in spite of coordinated national efforts,” the NCDC warned.
The Centre added that the hotspot States for Lassa fever include Ondo State, 30 percent; Bauchi State, 25 percent; and Edo State, 17 percent. All put together account for 72 percent of all confirmed cases.
NCDCP pointed out that the disease was hitting young adults hardest. Particularly those aged 21 to 30 years, with a nearly equal male-to-female ratio.
The Centre maintained that no new healthcare worker infections were reported in the past week. But highlighted a surge in cases and called for heightened vigilance.
NCDCP pointed out that a multi-sectoral Incident Management System has been activated to coordinate response efforts nationwide.
On the meningitis front, the Centre said the figures were even more alarming.
The NCDC said that from 2,911 suspected cases, 192 have been confirmed and 225 lives lost, translating to a case fatality rate of 7.7 percent.
The agency stated that children aged five to 14 were the most affected. With males accounting for 60 percent of all reported infections.
It pointed out that the outbreak has reached 24 States and 173 LGAs. With 10 Northern States: including Kebbi, Katsina, Sokoto, and Jigawa, reporting 97 percent of suspected cases.
In response to the outbreak, the NCDCP has activated a National Emergency Operations Centre to coordinate interventions. This is in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), and development partners.
The agency stated that regular high-level meetings with affected States were ongoing to streamline containment strategies.
“We are providing continuous technical support to high-burden states and reinforcing outbreak preparedness across the country,” the NCDCP said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports Lassa fever is a viral hemorrhagic disease. And it is transmitted primarily through contact with the urine or faeces of infected rats.
It can also spread from person to person through bodily fluids, contaminated objects, or infected medical equipment.
Symptoms include fever, sore throat, headache, vomiting, muscle pain, and in severe cases, bleeding from body openings.
source: NAN