Edo, Ondo, Bauchi Top Cases Of Lassa Fever – NCDC
By Osehobo Ofure, Benin-City
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has said that Ondo, Edo, and Bauchi states, collectively account for 75% of confirmed cases of Lassa fever in the country.
In its latest situation report on the disease, NCDC, reported that the remaining 25% were spread across seven other states.
The report shows that a total of 1,552 suspected cases and 358 confirmed infections have been recorded, with 70 deaths.
A breakdown of the cases showed that Ondo state has the highest number with 133 cases, followed by Edo state with 71 cases and Bauchi with 63.
Other states affected include Taraba with 56 cases, Ebonyi 11 cases, Kogi 10 cases, and Gombe with 8 cases.
The report added that between January 27 and February 2, 2024, 68 new confirmed cases and 17 deaths were recorded across the states of Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba, Kogi, Gombe, and Ebonyi.
NCDC Director-General, Dr. Jide Idris, who outlined the primary modes of transmission urged the public to maintain strict hygiene practices by storing food in rodent-proof containers.
He also urged Nigerians to seek medical attention immediately if symptoms such as fever, weakness, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhoea, or unexplained bleeding occur.
Lassa fever is primarily transmitted through contact with food or household items contaminated by the urine or faeces of infected rats—a common African rodent.
The virus can also spread from person to person through direct contact with an infected person’s bodily fluids, such as urine, blood, faeces and vomit.
