Alert in the country! Lassa fever claimed 40 lives in two weeks

In the statement made by the Nigerian Center for Disease Control (NCDC), it was indicated that the Lassa epidemic continued to spread to 23 states of the country since January 1.

It was reported that 40 people died from the Lassa fever epidemic in the past two weeks in the country.

Thus, it was reported that the number of people who lost their lives in the epidemic since January increased to 142, and 784 cases were detected in this process.

The Nigerian government declared a “state of emergency” due to the Lassa fever epidemic in early February.

In the Lassa fever epidemic, which increased in the November-May period, when the dry season occurs every year, 989 cases were detected between January 1 and November 20, 2022, and 178 people died.

IT FIRST HAPPENED IN NIGERIA IN 1969

Lassa fever, which is seen in many African countries including Mali, Togo, Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone, was first found in Nigeria in 1969 in Borno state in the northeast of the country.

The disease, which is spread by contact with mouse feces, can be passed from person to person and causes fatal hemorrhagic fever.

Authorities are warning the public not to come into contact with mice and other rodents. (AA)