The number of deaths recorded from Lassa fever in the country has risen from 16 to 22. According to a new Situation Report from the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) issued yesterday, the country has recorded 22 deaths from Lassa fever from January 1, 2018.
Similarly, the number of confirmed cases cases from the beginning of 2018 rose from 61 last Wednesday to 77 on Monday.
The Chief Executive Officer of the NCDC, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, stated that the three states – Ebonyi, Ondo and Edo states were worst hit by the Lassa fever, an acute viral haemorrhagic illness, which is transmitted to humans via contact with food or household items contaminated with rodent urine or faeces.
While lamenting the cases of Lassa fever recorded in Imo State recently, the state Governor, Rochas Okorocha, disclosed that three persons had died of Lassa fever while seven others were hospitalised.
Okorocha said that the disease was discovered in one of the hospitals in Orlu Local Government Area of the state and expressed deep worry over the disease and the cautioned citizens against unhygienic habits and body contact.