Nigeria records 37 new cases of Lassa fever as death toll increases

The Nigerian Center for Disease Control (NCDC) confirmed Wednesday 37 new cases of Lbada fever recorded between 4 and 10 February.

NCDC chief executive Chikwe Ihekweazu said in a statement Wednesday in Abuja.

Ihekweazu stated that from January 1 to February 10, 2019, out of a total of 947 suspected cases reported by 20 states and the FCT; 324 were confirmed positive, three probable and 620 negative.

He added that since the beginning of the 2019 epidemic, confirmed cases had caused 69 deaths, bringing the death rate to 21.3%.

PREMIUM TIMES indicated that the death toll on February 8 was 57.

The CEO said that Edo, Ondo, Bauchi, Nasarawa, Ebonyi, Plateau, Taraba, FCT, Adamawa, Gombe, Kaduna, Kouara, Benue, Rivers, Kogi, Enugu, Imo, Delta, Oyo and Kebbi had registered at least one confirmed case in 54 local communities.

He also confirmed that three new health workers had been affected in the states of Benue, Bauchi and Rivers during the recent outbreak.

Mr Ihekweazu said that a total of 12 health workers had been affected since the beginning of the epidemic in seven states, namely Edo, Ondo, Ebonyi, Rivers, Bauchi, Benue and Enugu, who registered a death.

He said 3,746 people believed to have had contact with infected people had been identified in 18 states.

According to him, 2,658 of the suspected contacts are being followed up, while the remaining 1,045 have completed the mandatory 21-day follow-up to ensure they have no symptoms. .

"The National Multisectoral Center for Lbada Fever and the Multisectoral Emergency Operations Center continue to coordinate response activities at all levels," said Ihekweazu.

Lbada fever is a hemorrhagic disease caused by rodents. The disease is transmitted through the feces and urine of rats.

Lbada fever can be treated if diagnosed at an early stage, and Nigerians are advised to visit health centers in case of illness.

In view of the above epidemic, Nigerians must take preventive measures, such as the preservation of the environment, the removal of rodents from homes, the washing of hands before meals and the conservation of all food products in well-closed containers.