A Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps official spry a man hand with hand sanitizer in front of Gbagada General Hospital, after Lassa fever outbreak . (Photo by Olukayode Jaiyeola/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) reported an additional 115 confirmed Lassa fever cases the week ending Feb. 16, bringing the total during the first seven weeks of 2020 to 586, well over 200 more cases than was reported during the same period in 2019.
In addition, 18 deaths in confirmed cases were reported last week, bringing the total to 103 year-to-date. In total for 2020, 26 states have recorded at least one confirmed case across 101 Local Government Areas.
The Nigerian Observer reported on Thursday that Lagos state confirmed its first case of Lassa fever. According to the Commissioner of Health, the patient is currently being treated at Lagos University Teaching Hospital.
Edo, Ondo and Ebonyi states still account for more than 70 percent of the total.
(Source: The Nigerian Observer)