Nigeria Records 1,131 New Cases Of Lassa Fever In 27 States

NOVEMBER 13, 2020 

The Federal Government, on Thursday, raised concerns over the number of new confirmed cases of Lassa virus in Nigeria, saying it has hit 27 states. 

While warning of the resurgence of other non-COVID-19 killer diseases like Lassa fever, especially in the dry season, the government said it had increased in the last week to 11 cases this week.

The Minister of State (Health), Olorunnimbe Mamora, said this during the press conference of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19.

Read also: FG Worried Over New Cases Of Lassa Fever

He said that while government strived to contain the spread of the Coronavirus, it would continue to keep eyes on other diseases that threaten human health.

Mamora said: “One of such diseases is Lassa fever which is a viral haemorrhagic disease characterized by one or more of the following symptoms: malaise, fever, headache, sore throat, cough, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, muscle pain, chest pain, hearing loss.

“So far this year, we have recorded 1131 confirmed cases in 27 states. However, the number of new confirmed cases of Lassa, has increased from three in the last week to 11 cases this week.”

He said that this year, Nigeria has recorded 233 deaths with a case fatality rate of 20.6 per cent, which is slightly lower than the CFR for the same period in 2019 (21.0 per cent).