Following the declaration of Lassa Fever outbreak in Nigeria, there are
reported cases in some states since the beginning of the year and the
Nigerian Center for Disease Control (NCDC) has stepped up emergency
response.
According to the NCDC, Lassa Fever kills many and leaves most of its
survivors with disability.
A press statement by the NCNC stated that there has been an
increase in the number of Lassa Fever cases reported from many states
across the country since the beginning of the year and epidemiological
data showed that it usually occurs during dry season.
The disease is more prevalent in Edo, Ondo and Ebonyi states while
20 other states recorded at least one confirmed case across 93 LGAs.
The states involved are: Edo, Ondo, Bauchi, Nasarawa, Ebonyi,
Anambra, Benue, Kogi, Imo, Plateau, Lagos, Taraba, Delta, Osun,
Rivers, FCT, Gombe, Ekiti,
Kaduna, Abia, Adamawa, Enugu and Kano.
“Since the Lassa fever outbreak in 2018, NCDC has worked with states
to ensure better preparedness and improved response. In the last one
year, guidelines have been revised, new data management tools have
been developed and the laboratory network has been strengthened.
Additionally, risk communications has been strengthened through radio,
posters, flyers and social media.
“A national research plan has been developed, to enable its full
integration into the outbreak response to gain a better understanding
of the disease”, NCDC said.
As of today, Nigeria has four laboratories where Lassa Fever
can be quickly diagnosed without stress.
