Abuja, Oct 23 – Nigeria’s fight against Lassa fever shows a grim rise in deaths, with 172 people dead so far this year, the country’s health watchdog says. The Nigeria Center for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) reports that 924 confirmed cases have come from 8,041 suspected cases across 106 local government areas in 21 states.
The fatality rate now sits at 18.6 percent, up from 17 percent earlier in the year. NCDC officials point to late treatment and poor health‑seeking habits as the main culprits behind the higher death toll.
The outbreak hits hardest in the south’s Edo, Ebonyi, and Ondo states, as well as the north’s Bauchi and Taraba. Those five states together carry more than 90 percent of all confirmed cases – Ondo alone accounts for 35 percent. The disease mainly affects people aged 21 to 30, with slightly more men than women (a 1:0.8 male‑to‑female ratio).
“Better sanitation, increased awareness, and faster treatment are still missing links,” the NCDC said. “We need to act now, before the disease spreads further.”
Health authorities urge Nigerians to keep living spaces clean, avoid handling rodents, and store food properly. If you feel a persistent fever, sore throat, chest pain, or vomiting, seek medical help immediately. Early diagnosis and treatment can save lives.
The NCDC is working closely with state ministries of health, international partners, and local communities. A multi‑sectoral incident management system has been launched to streamline a nationwide response.
Lassa fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic illness. The virus mainly spreads through contact with food or household items that have been contaminated by rodent urine or feces. Human‑to‑human transmission is also possible through direct contact with blood, saliva, urine, or excreta from infected people.
With the death toll climbing and the disease still spreading, Nigeria’s public‑health authorities call on everyone to stay vigilant, follow preventive measures, and report any symptoms right away. The more we act together, the better we can protect our communities and bring this outbreak under control.
Source: ianslive
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