FG Raises the Alarm on Spike in Lassa Fever Cases

•Six states record 1,154 cases with 190 deaths

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

The federal government has said there has been an alarming increase in Lassa fever cases and deaths in the last four weeks.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) while provided update on the disease epidemic, said: ‘Cumulatively this year, we have recorded 9,492 suspected cases, 1,154 confirmed with 190 deaths.

“Six states make up 89% of the confirmed cases, namely: Ondo (29.7 percent), Edo (22.7 percent), Bauchi (17.9 percent), Taraba (8.8 percent), Benue (5.6 percent), and Ebonyi (4 percent)”.

The centre further said that 10 Local government councils namely;(Owo, Etsako West, Esan West, Kirfi, Ardo-Kola, Toro, Ose, Akure South, Jalingo and Idah) accounted for almost 50 percent of the confirmed cases.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Monday on the disease outbreak, the Director General of NCDC, Dr. Jide Idris, expressed concern that the rise in the number of cases signaled the severity of the outbreak

His words: “There has been an alarming increase in Lassa fever cases and deaths in the last 4 weeks, signaling the outbreak’s severity.

“First, the case fatality rate has consistently remained high, over 13 percent. We have noted a rise in the number of suspected cases compared to a similar timeline in 2023.

“This, however, could be attributed to the increased/enhanced surveillance Most cases continue to emerge from endemic areas, like Bauchi, Ondo, Edo, Taraba Ebonyi and Enugu, underscoring the need for targeted interventions in these states,

 Idris said trends of the Lassa Fever spread requires a coordinated effort to strengthen response and protect vulnerable populations.

He said the goal of government is to reduce the number of cases and importantly, deaths.

“We conducted a dynamic risk assessment to determine the appropriate emergency activation level. The risk has been categorized as High and Response Level 2 advised, and efforts to be tailored specifically to the states currently experiencing increased case burden.

“The EOC was activated to ensure seamless coordination of Lassa fever control and management activities using a One Health approach. Heightened surveillance

“In preparation for this outbreak season, critical medical supplies, infection prevention and control (IPC) materials, and laboratory diagnostic tools and materials have been distributed to various states, nationwide.”

Idris said that Lassa Fever testing laboratories have also been expanded from about 9 to 13, adding that more will still be upgraded.

In line with Lassa fever preparedness plan, Idris said that NCDC has sent advisories along with all 36 states and the FCT, focusing on the hotspot states (Edo, Ebonyi, Bauchi, Ondo and Benue).

He said that the Centre has been organising regular Lassa Fever trainings, including webinar series organized.

“Beyond these efforts, the NCDC will continue to collaborate with the States’ Health Commissioners to enhance outbreak response,” he said.