The Nigeria Centre for Illness Management and Prevention (NCDC) has reported a complete of 366 deaths from Lassa fever and meningitis throughout 24 states within the nation.
In an replace revealed on its official web site on Friday, the NCDC highlighted the continuing public well being menace posed by these ailments.
From January 1 to Might 18, the Nigeria Centre for Illness Management and Prevention (NCDC) confirmed 733 circumstances of Lassa fever out of 5,118 suspected infections throughout 18 states and 95 native authorities areas.
Throughout the identical interval, the company recorded 141 Lassa fever-related deaths, representing a case fatality price of 19.2%.
The NCDC famous a spike in new infections throughout epidemiological week 20, with circumstances rising from three to 13 in Edo, Ondo, and Benue states.
“The case fatality price stands at 19.2%, barely larger than the 18.3% recorded in 2024, indicating that one in 5 individuals contaminated is dying, regardless of coordinated nationwide efforts,” the NCDC warned.
NCDC mentioned that Lassa fever is hitting younger adults the toughest, significantly these aged 21 to 30 years, with an almost equal male-to-female ratio.
It famous that no new infections amongst healthcare employees had been reported previously week however highlighted a surge in general circumstances and known as for heightened vigilance.
The company mentioned a multi-sectoral Incident Administration System has been activated to coordinate response efforts throughout the nation.
It added that the hotspot states for Lassa fever embody Ondo (30%), Bauchi (25%), and Edo (17%), which collectively account for 72% of all confirmed circumstances.
On the meningitis entrance, the centre mentioned the figures had been much more alarming.
The NCDC mentioned that of two,911 suspected circumstances, 192 have been confirmed, and 225 lives misplaced, translating to a case fatality price of seven.7%.
The company mentioned that kids aged 5 to 14 had been probably the most affected, with males accounting for 60% of all reported infections.
It mentioned that the outbreak has reached 24 states and 173 LGAs, with 10 northern states, together with Kebbi, Katsina, Sokoto, and Jigawa, reporting 97% of suspected circumstances.
In response, the NCDC has activated a nationwide Emergency Operations Centre to coordinate interventions in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Well being, the Nationwide Main Well being Care Improvement Company (NPHCDA), the Nigerian Meteorological Company (NiMet), and growth companions.
The company mentioned it’s offering steady technical assist to high-burden states, reinforcing outbreak preparedness nationwide, and holding common high-level conferences with affected states to streamline containment methods.
