The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, NCDC, has raised concerns over what it described as increasing number of Lassa fever cases and fatalities.
The NCDC Director-General, Jide Idris, made this disclosure on Monday in Abuja, saying that 1,154 confirmed cases and 190 deaths were recorded so far this year, representing a case fatality rate of over 13 per cent.
Idris said 9,492 suspected cases have been documented across the country, with six states such as Ondo, Edo, Bauchi, Taraba, Benue, and Ebonyi accounting for 89 per cent of confirmed infections.
He further stated that the last four weeks saw a sharp rise in cases, signalling the severity of the outbreak.
He noted that the trend underscores the urgent need for targeted interventions in high-burden states and communities.
The NCDC also explained that 10 local government areas, including Owo, Etsako West, Esan West, and Kirfi, account for nearly 59 per cent of confirmed cases, Ondo State alone represents 29.7 per cent of cases, followed by Edo at 22.7 per cent and Bauchi at 17.9 per cent
