New Lassa fever cases and 20 deaths have been recorded across 16 states in one week, says the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention.
The NCDC, via its official website, revealed that the period spans from February 26 to March 3.
It noted that for week nine of 2024, there was an increase in the confirmed cases from 96, in week eight.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic (excessive bleeding) illness that is transmitted to humans through contact with food or household items contaminated by infected rodents or contaminated persons.
Its symptoms include fever, headache, sore throat, general body weakness, cough, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, muscle pains, chest pain, and in severe cases, unexplainable bleeding from ears, eyes, nose, mouth and other body openings.
According to the NCDC, despite efforts made to curb the disease, the country continued to face new cases and fatalities, underscoring the persistent threat posed by Lassa fever.
It disclosed that the country registered 109 cases, all in one week.
