The Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has reported a significant surge in Lassa Fever cases during week 51 of 2023.
This information was released on the official NCDC website on Sunday. During the week, the newly confirmed Lassa Fever cases spiked from 10 in week 50 to 26 cases. These cases were identified in Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, and Plateau States.
In response to the situation, multi-sectoral Public Health Emergency Operation Centres (PHEOC) have been activated at both the national level and in the affected states.
Challenges in combating Lassa Fever were outlined, including the late presentation of cases, resulting in an elevated case fatality rate. Poor health-seeking behavior was also noted due to the high cost of treatment and clinical management.
Additionally, challenges like poor environmental sanitation conditions and low awareness were observed in high-burden communities.
The report, based on case-based data from the National Lassa Fever Emergency Operations Centre, emphasized the symptoms of the disease, including fever, headache, sore throat, cough, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, myalgia, chest pain, and unexplained bleeding/hemorrhage.
The situation underscores the need for heightened public awareness and targeted interventions to curb the spread of Lassa Fever.