Ondo, Edo, Bauchi Account For 70% Lassa Fever Cases, NCDC Reveals

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has revealed that 70% of the 909 confirmed cases and 170 deaths from Lassa Fever cases were recorded by Ondo, Edo and Bauchi.

Dr Aderinola Olaolu, the Assistant Director and Head of Response Division of the NCDC disclosed this at the Ministerial Press Briefing on update on COVID-19 response and Development in the Health Sector in Abuja.

He said response activities continue in all areas, particularly in areas of state advocacy, IPC support, and laboratory diagnostics.

According to Olaolu, Lassa fever cases have been reported from 25 states and 101 LGAs.

On measles, he said the impact of COVID-19 continues to be felt across several other areas including the increase in the risk of measles and a probable increase in yellow fever outbreaks due to delayed planned vaccination campaigns.

”We recorded 18,577 confirmed cases, and 190 deaths as of week 35 in 36 states and the FCT and there are 40 LGAs with the active outbreak.

”We will continue to support state responses to measles outbreaks,” he said.

He said that the NCDC has continued to record confirmed COVID-19 cases in Nigeria, just as in several other parts of the world.

“Unfortunately, SARS-CoV-II is still exerting impacts globally, however, the effects of vaccinations, diagnostics and therapeutics are evident in our ability to continue with regular life.

“In Nigeria, we have had 5,547,250 samples tested, 264,802 confirmed cases, 257,880 discharged cases and unfortunately 3,155 deaths.

“The virus is still circulating and we must continue to adhere to all measures to prevent transmission while strengthening our capacity to respond across states”.

He, however, admonished Nigerians to continue to take responsibility to prevent COVID-19 and other infectious diseases.

“Take advantage of the increasing knowledge and resources we have to get tested early if you have symptoms or are exposed, and get vaccinated to prevent severe disease.

“As we have seen with COVID-19 and the outbreak of monkeypox in countries globally, diseases will continue to emerge, so we must learn to live safely and continue to protect our lives and livelihoods,” he added.