As of Thursday, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) reported that 80 people have died from Lassa fever.

The information was revealed by the NCDC during a routine situation report on the Lassa Fever outbreak in the country.

434 cases have been documented in the country, according to the NCDC.

Edo (192), Ondo (150), Taraba (21), Ebonyi (17), Bauchi (15), and Benue (8) are the states hit by the infections, according to the NCDC study.

Plateau had eight cases, while Kaduna had seven, according to the report.

Enugu State has (5), Nasarawa (3), Kogi (3), Cross River (1), Imo (1), Anambra (1), Delta (1), and Abia (1).

“The disease is endemic in Nigeria like in several other countries in West Africa and most cases are seen during the dry season, often between November and May annually.

“Since January 2021, a total of 434 confirmed cases with 80 deaths (i.e., a case fatality rate of 18 percent) have been reported in seventeen (17) States and sixty-three (63) Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Nigeria.”

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the NCDC National Reference Laboratory is in charge of coordinating the testing of Lassa fever in seven laboratories across the country.

In addition, the NCDC is taking part in the world’s largest Lassa fever study, which is being funded by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness and Innovations (CEPI) and aims to provide an accurate picture of the disease’s prevalence in West Africa.

This research likewise targeted the development of Lassa fever vaccines and therapies.

According to NAN, the first death occurred when a pregnant lady was admitted to a health institution in Nasarawa State, and a medical doctor involved in the patient’s management later sought medical attention in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

According to NAN, another medical doctor associated with the index case has been diagnosed with Lassa fever and is being treated.

With the help of NCDC, the Nasarawa State Ministry of Health has begun an in-depth epidemiological examination of the cases in order to determine the likely source of infection and the disease’s spread.

The body stated that contact tracking of all of the patients’ close relations has begun.

According to the NCDC, the public is encouraged to keep their surroundings clean as the country continues to draw on lessons learned from previous outbreaks to ensure proper preparedness for future emergencies.

According to NAN, the Lassa fever virus is spread by rats found in our environment.

According to NAN, the NCDC recommended Nigerians who experience Lassa fever symptoms contact their state ministry of health’s hotline or phone 6232 immediately.

Fever, headache, overall body weakness, and bleeding via orifices in the body such as the mouth and nostrils are all symptoms of Lassa fever.