The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has recorded one death and confirmed 15 new cases of Lassa fever nationwide within a week.

This update was shared by the NCDC in its week 13 report, published on Friday via its official website.

Lassa fever, a viral hemorrhagic illness, spreads to humans through contact with contaminated food or household items, typically by infected rodents or individuals.

Common symptoms include fever, headache, sore throat, weakness, cough, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle pains, chest discomfort, and, in severe cases, unexplained bleeding from various body openings.

While there’s been a decrease in confirmed cases from 25 in week 12 to 15 in the latest report, suspected cases have risen compared to the same period in 2023.

From week one to 13, the country has documented a total of 806 confirmed cases and 150 deaths, with a case fatality rate of 18.6 percent, surpassing the rate for the same period in 2023 (17.5 percent).

“Twenty-five states recorded at least one confirmed case across 125 local government areas in 2024. Sixty-two per cent of confirmed cases were recorded from Ondo, Edo, and Bauchi, with Ondo State accounting for 24 per cent, Edo 22 per cent, and Bauchi 16 per cent,” it said.

According to the report, no health worker was infected in the reporting week, and individuals between the ages of 31 and 40 were predominantly affected by the infection.

The NCDC said the National Lassa Fever Multi-partner, Multi-sectoral Incident Management System had been activated to coordinate response at all levels at the Emergency Operations Centre.

The NCDC highlighted some challenges in the fight against Lassa fever, including the late presentation of cases leading to increased CFR and poor health-seeking behaviour.

It attributed the latter to the high cost of treatment and clinical management of Lassa fever, as well as poor environmental sanitation and awareness in high-burden communities.