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Nigeria: Nigeria Lassa Fever outbreak - DREF Operational Update n° NDRNG038 - Nigeria


Nigeria: Nigeria Lassa Fever outbreak - DREF Operational Update n° NDRNG038 - Nigeria

In 2024, the Lassa fever outbreak in Nigeria escalated significantly, with the number of suspected cases rising to 7,407, compared to 6,597 reported during the same period in 2023. By week 29, the number of new confirmed cases increased from 7 in epidemiological week 28 to 11. From week 1 to week 29 in 2024, there have been 163 reported deaths, resulting in a case fatality rate (CFR) of 17.1%, slightly higher than the 16.9% CFR for the same period in 2023. Lassa fever has now spread to 28 states, with at least one confirmed case in 125 Local Government Areas (LGAs), and 32 healthcare workers have been infected across 27 states, including the FCT. The worst-affected states are Bauchi, Taraba, Edo, Ondo, Plateau, Benue, Cross River, Rivers, Anambra, and Ebonyi, with a total of 125 LGAs impacted. The predominant age group affected is 31-40 years (Range: 1 to 98 years, Median Age: 32 years), with an equal male-tofemale ratio among confirmed cases. Since February, when the cases began to peak, the Nigeria Red Cross Society (NRCS) was called upon for support by the Ministry of Health (MoH) and various response platforms. Despite Lassa fever being endemic in Nigeria, the case fatality rate (CFR) of 18.8% reported in week 12 was alarming, revealing significant gaps in coordination with health partners, which raised considerable concerns. The number of suspected cases also surged dramatically to 5,029 from January to week 12 in 2024, compared to 3,361 during the same period in 2023. Among the worst-affected states, Bauchi, Taraba, Edo, Ondo, Ebonyi, Benue, and Cross River are endemic to Lassa fever. In contrast, Plateau, Rivers, and Anambra are newly affected states, where awareness of the symptoms, prevention, and treatment of the disease is minimal or non-existent. In Ebonyi and Benue, new LGAs that were not previously affected by Lassa fever began reporting cases, including within IDP camps in Benue State. This situation underscored the urgent need to engage communities in these areas to raise awareness about the signs and symptoms of Lassa fever and improve early detection and timely presentation of cases through active case searches and referrals.

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