Nigeria’s Lassa fever cases drop but death rate rises, says NCDC
- Southerton Business Times
- 3 days ago
- 1 min read
Nigeria has recorded a decline in new Lassa fever infections, but health authorities warn that the disease is becoming more deadly as patients delay seeking treatment. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) said 65 new cases were reported in the last week of February, down from 77 in the previous week. However, the case fatality rate has risen sharply to over 23%, compared to just under 19% during the same period last year.
The NCDC attributed the higher death rate largely to delayed treatment, as well as poor sanitation and low levels of awareness in high-burden communities. Health officials say early diagnosis is critical to improving survival outcomes. The agency is supporting local authorities with intensified surveillance, contact tracing, and the deployment of rapid response teams to infection hotspots. Personal protective equipment is also being distributed to health facilities.
According to the NCDC, people aged between 21 and 30 account for the highest number of infections, while cases among healthcare workers have also increased.
Lassa fever is a viral haemorrhagic illness in the same family as Ebola and Marburg virus disease, which can cause fever, vomiting, and, in severe cases, internal bleeding. The disease was first identified in 1969 in the town of Lassa and remains endemic in parts of West Africa.
While about 80% of infections are mild or asymptomatic, severe cases can be life-threatening, particularly when treatment is delayed. There is currently no licensed vaccine for Lassa fever, making prevention and early medical intervention critical to controlling outbreaks.
Lassa fever Nigeria
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