The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control disclosed that in the past week, 28 cases of Lassa fever have been identified in the country, resulting in 3 deaths due to the outbreak.

Reports from Nigeria, a West African country, indicate that 28 cases of Lassa fever were recorded within a week. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) released a statement regarding this issue. It was noted that in the last week, Lassa fever was detected in 28 individuals across 7 states in the country, leading to 3 fatalities from the outbreak. Additionally, it was highlighted that since January, the number of Lassa fever cases has risen to 563, with 103 reported deaths. The Nigerian government had announced the identification of 3 drugs for the treatment of the disease. During the annual dry period between November and May, there is an increase in Lassa fever outbreaks, with 674 cases identified in 2023, resulting in 102 deaths.

FIRST IDENTIFIED IN 1969 Lassa fever, which has been observed in many African countries like Mali, Togo, Ghana, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, was first encountered in Nigeria in 1969, specifically in the northeastern state of Borno. The Nigerian government declared a state of emergency due to Lassa fever on January 23, 2019. This disease, transmitted through contact with rat droppings, can be passed from person to person and leads to fatal hemorrhagic fever.