Nigeria At High Risk Of Lassa Fever Transmission

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has activated the national multisectoral Emergency Operations Centre for Lassa Fever to coordinate and strengthen ongoing response activities in the country.

This is even as it disclosed that the number of Lassa fever confirmed cases has risen to 244 with 37 deaths.

The Lassa fever Emergency Operations Centre was activated following the outcome of a risk assessment that placed Nigeria at a very high risk of increased Lassa fever transmission.

The assessment showed an unprecedented upward trend in the number of confirmed cases being reported compared to previous years, an increased number of states reporting cases in comparison to previous years, and an increased risk of healthcare worker infections and deaths due to Lassa fever infection.

Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic fever caused by the Lassa virus. The natural reservoir for the virus is the Mastomys natalensis rodent (commonly known as the multimammate rat or the African rat). Other rodents can also be carriers of the virus.