The Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has
announced that Lassa fever outbreak has now spread to 18 states, while death
toll since January 1, 2018, has risen to 110.
It said between January and March 4, a total of 1,121
suspected cases have been recorded, out of which 353 are confirmed positive;
eight probable; 737 confirmed negative and 37 still waiting laboratory results.
Sharing the details in a statement made available
to the media on Tuesday and signed by the Communications Assistant of NCDC,
Jeremiah Agenyi, the centre said the 18 states affected are Edo, Ondo, Bauchi,
Nasarawa, Ebonyi, Anambra, Benue, Kogi, Imo, Plateau, Lagos, Taraba, Delta,
Osun, Rivers, FCT, Gombe and Ekiti
“Two health workers were confirmed positive this
week in Ebonyi State. Cumulatively, 16 health care workers have been affected
in six states-Ebonyi (nine), Nasarawa (one), Kogi (one), Benue (one), Ondo
(one) and Edo (three), with four deaths in Ebonyi (three) and Kogi (one),” the centre
stated.
The statement showed that the predominant age-group
affected is 21to 40 years, while male to female ratio for confirmed cases is
2:1.
“85 per cent of all confirmed cases are from these
states-Edo (44 per cent), Ondo (25 per cent) and Ebonyi (16 per cent). Cases
currently on admission this weekend at Irrua Specialist Hospital are 35; Federal
Medical Centre, Owo, 18; while 16 are under admission at FETH Abakiliki,” it
said.
The statement said a total of 3,126 contacts have
been identified. Of these, 1,586 are currently being followed up; 1,485 have
completed 21 days follow up and 21 of the 47 symptomatic contacts have tested
positive from three states (Edo-11, Ondo-7 and Ebonyi-3).
NCDC said it has scaled up response at the national
and state levels, noting that the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical
Medicine in Germany and the World Health Organisation (WHO) were currently
supporting its effort.
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