Nigeria Issues Lassa Fever Healthcare Worker Advisory

Lassa fever is a major public health challenge in West Africa, with Nigeria bearing the highest burden. It is an acute viral haemorrhagic fever (VHF) caused by the Lassa virus. The natural reservoir for the virus is the Mastomys natalensis rodent (commonly known as the multimammate rat). Other rodents that carry the virus have also been identified.

Nigeria Declares Lassa Fever Outbreak, Activates Emergency Response

Lassa Fever Outbreak in Nigeria - Image credit: BellaNaija

Nigeria on Tuesday declared a Lassa Fever outbreak in the country. This followed the increase in the number of Lassa Fever cases reported in states since the beginning of the year, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control said.

Lassa Fever Kills Over 100 In 19 Nigerian States - Latest Figures

A pervading Lassa fever outbreak in Nigeria has killed about 101 people, as West Africa battles to contain a flare up of the virus, according to data from the nation’s health authorities released Saturday. Nigeria Centre for Disease (NCDC) statistics show that reported cases of the haemorrhagic disease — both confirmed and suspected — stood at 175 with a total of 101 deaths since August.