Nigeria reports 23 new cases of Lassa last week

Nigerian health officials have reported 23 new confirmed cases of Lassa fever over the past week, bringing the total number of cases to 495 confirmed since the beginning of the year.

The new cases were reported in the following nine states: Edo (8), Ondo (4), Ebonyi (3), Bauchi (3), Taraba (1), Imo (1), Enugu (1), Benue (1) ). ) and Kebbi (1).

In addition, four new deaths in Edo (2), Benue (1) and Bauchi (1) have been reported. Since the beginning of the 2019 epidemic, there have been 114 deaths among confirmed cases. The case fatality rate in confirmed cases is 23.0%.

Lassa fever is transmitted mainly by rats. Rats carrying Lassa fever virus live in houses and in food storage areas. Lassa fever usually causes illness after being in direct contact with rat droppings or urine and by touching objects or eating food contaminated with rat excrement or urine.

Lassa fever can also spread when a person comes into contact with the blood, tissues or body fluids of an infected person, especially when she is critically ill.