By Chioma Obinna
Nigeria has reported a rise in Lassa fever circumstances, with 11 new confirmed infections, bringing the loss of life toll to 143 this yr.
In the meantime, one healthcare employee was newly contaminated in the course of the newest reporting week.
The 11 new circumstances recorded in week 23 of 2025 had been reported in Ondo, Edo, Bauchi, and Taraba States.
Revealing these in its weekly scenario report that the cumulative loss of life toll has risen to 143 this yr, the Nigeria Centre for Illness Management (NCDC) disclosed that with a Case Fatality Charge (CFR) of 18.9 per cent, surpassing the 17.8 per cent CFR recorded throughout the identical interval in 2024.
“This yr’s CFR is regarding because it signifies a better fatality price amongst confirmed circumstances in comparison with earlier years,” the NCDC said.
To date, 18 states have reported at the least one confirmed case throughout 96 Native Authorities Areas (LGAs). Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba, and Ebonyi states account for 90 per cent of the circumstances, with Ondo alone reporting 31 per cent.
The affected age group predominantly falls between 21 and 30 years, with a male-to-female ratio of 1:0.8. Whereas circumstances have usually decreased in comparison with 2024, one new healthcare employee was contaminated within the newest reporting week.
In response to the NCDC, the Centre has activated a multi-partner Incident Administration System to deal with the outbreak.
“Efforts embrace enhanced surveillance, clinician coaching in hotspot LGAs, and the combination of Lassa fever danger communication into broader public well being methods.
The Director-Common of the NCDC, Dr Jide Idris, emphasised the significance of early case presentation. “Late presentation stays a major problem, contributing to the excessive CFR. We urge Nigerians to hunt medical consideration promptly if signs develop,” he mentioned.
Key interventions embrace the distribution of response commodities reminiscent of private protecting tools (PPE), Ribavirin, and hygiene supplies to states and remedy centres. Moreover, healthcare employees have been educated in case administration in Bauchi, Ebonyi, and Benue States with assist from the World Well being Group (WHO).
Regardless of these efforts, the NCDC highlighted a number of challenges, together with poor health-seeking behaviour, insufficient environmental sanitation, and low consciousness in high-burden communities.
“The price of remedy and restricted entry to healthcare stay limitations for a lot of sufferers,” Idris famous.
Public consciousness campaigns, neighborhood sensitisation, and coaching of healthcare employees proceed throughout high-burden states.
The company has additionally partnered with native and worldwide organisations to strengthen capability in illness prevention, surveillance, and remedy.
The NCDC urged people to take care of good hygiene practices, keep away from contact with rodents, and search medical care instantly if signs of Lassa fever come up.
The general public can also be inspired to assist community-led efforts to enhance sanitation and cut back the unfold of the illness.
The NCDC reassured Nigerians of its dedication to mitigating the influence of Lassa fever via a strong, coordinated response.
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