Breaking

FG warns of imminent surge in Lassa fever

 The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) Wednesday  announced a decline in disease outbreaks across the country, with a significant reduction in reported yellow fever, diphtheria, and cholera cases.

However, the director general of NCDC, Jide Idris, warned of an imminent surge in cases of Lassa fever during a media briefing in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city, Wednesday.

Idris said: “Although Nigeria has experienced a decline in cases of various diseases, the country is approaching the Lassa fever season, which typically occurs annually.

“Given the seasonal nature of Lassa fever, we anticipate a potential increase in cases over the next few months. As such, we are proactively intensifying our preparedness efforts to mitigate the impact of the expected surge.”

NCDC said as of September 2024, Nigeria had reported 1,728 suspected yellow fever cases, of which 43 tested positive.

He stated that 36 states and the FCT have been affected, and 496 local government areas reported cases.

Yellow fever is a viral disease causing fever, headache, and nausea, potentially leading to hemorrhaging, organ failure, and death if untreated. Vaccination, NCDC said, is the best prevention.

Eight cases have been confirmed, with two deaths reported, resulting in a 0.1 per cent case fatality rates in the reporting week.

The DG said Nigeria has reported 7,973 suspected Lassa fever cases, with 982 confirmed cases and 168 deaths, resulting in a 17.1 per cent case fatality rate.  (Premium Times)





About the author

eNews Nigeria

eNews Nigeria is your go-to source for the latest news, celebrity gossip, and trending stories. Our team works tirelessly to deliver reliable and engaging content that keeps our audience informed and entertained.