Lassa Fever Outbreak in Nigeria Claims 127 Lives

Synopsis

The Lassa fever outbreak in Nigeria has led to 127 fatalities, with 674 confirmed infections reported since January. The NCDC identifies significant challenges in health-seeking behavior and treatment costs, while young adults, particularly males, are most affected. The disease, endemic in parts of West Africa, poses risks of severe health complications.

Key Takeaways

Death toll from Lassa fever outbreak rises to 127.
A total of 674 confirmed cases reported.
Eighteen states affected, with Ondo, Edo, and Bauchi hardest hit.
Young adults aged 21-30 are the most impacted demographic.
High treatment costs and low awareness hinder response efforts.

Abuja, April 16 (NationPress) The death toll from the Lassa fever outbreak in Nigeria has surged to 127, according to public health officials.

A total of 674 confirmed cases have been documented from 4,025 suspected cases reported since the outbreak began in January, stated the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) in a Tuesday announcement.

This year, eighteen out of the 36 states in this populous African nation have been affected by the viral hemorrhagic illness, with the southern states of Ondo and Edo, along with the northern state of Bauchi, being the most severely impacted, accounting for over 70 percent of all confirmed cases, according to the NCDC.

The NCDC reported a case fatality rate of 18.8 percent, which is slightly elevated from the 18.5 percent recorded during the same timeframe in 2024.

Young adults aged 21 to 30 are the most affected demographic, with the median age of infection cited as 30 years. The agency noted a higher incidence among males compared to females, with a male-to-female ratio of 1:0.8.

The NCDC identified significant challenges such as poor health-seeking behavior, high treatment costs in certain areas, and limited awareness in communities heavily burdened by the disease. In response, it has activated a multi-sectoral incident management system to coordinate a nationwide response, as reported by Xinhua news agency.

In 2024, Nigeria recorded 214 deaths due to Lassa fever, according to the NCDC.

The World Health Organisation describes Lassa fever as an acute viral hemorrhagic illness caused by the Lassa virus, part of the arenavirus family.

Humans typically contract the Lassa virus through contact with food or household items contaminated with the urine or feces of infected Mastomys rats. The disease is endemic in the rodent population in parts of West Africa.

Transmission between individuals and through laboratory exposure can also happen, particularly in healthcare settings lacking adequate infection prevention and control measures.

Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial. The overall case-fatality rate stands at 1 percent, while among hospitalized patients with severe Lassa fever, the case-fatality rate is around 15 percent. Timely supportive care, including rehydration and symptomatic treatment, enhances survival rates.

Approximately 80 percent of individuals infected with the Lassa virus show no symptoms, while 1 in 5 infections lead to severe disease, impacting several organs, including the liver, spleen, and kidneys.