The Federal Government has issued a warning about a potential surge in Lassa fever cases across Nigeria.
Director-general of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC),Dr. Jide Idris delivered the alert during a media briefing in Abuja on Wednesday.
Idris highlighted that despite a general decline in disease cases, Nigeria is approaching the peak of the Lassa fever season, which typically sees an annual rise in infections. He stressed the need for heightened preparedness to manage the anticipated increase in cases.
“Given the seasonal nature of Lassa fever, we anticipate a potential increase in cases over the coming months,” Idris stated. “As such, we are proactively intensifying our preparedness efforts to mitigate the impact of the expected surge.”
The NCDC has reported a total of 7,973 suspected Lassa fever cases, with 982 confirmed cases and 168 deaths, reflecting a 17.1 per cent case fatality rate. Lassa fever, a viral hemorrhagic fever transmitted by rodents, causes symptoms including fever, bleeding and can be fatal if untreated.
Idris also noted a decline in other disease outbreaks, including yellow fever, diphtheria and cholera. As of September 2024, the NCDC recorded 1,728 suspected yellow fever cases, with 43 confirmed cases. Yellow fever, which can lead to severe complications such as hemorrhaging and organ failure, has affected 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), impacting 496 Local Government Areas (LGAs). Vaccination remains the primary prevention method.
In addition, there have been 12,085 suspected diphtheria cases reported across 21 states and 170 LGAs in 2024. Diphtheria, a bacterial infection caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae, affects the throat and nose and can lead to severe complications if left untreated. Out of these, 7,784 cases have been confirmed.
The technical working group also reported 20 suspected diphtheria cases in ‘Epidemic Week’ 35, with 12 confirmed cases across three states and nine LGAs. The NCDC continues to monitor and respond to these outbreaks to ensure public health safety.
