Lassa Fever Outbreak Claims Two Lives in Katsina State

In Katsina State, Nigeria, two deaths have been attributed to Lassa fever, with a total of three confirmed cases reported. Mohan Abubakar, the chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in Katsina, confirmed the fatalities during an interview.

The current outbreak has shown a significant increase in the fatality rate compared to previous years, with a current case fatality rate notably higher than the usual range of 10-30%. As of January, there have been approximately 1,000 suspected and confirmed cases nationwide, resulting in 145 deaths.

The outbreak typically peaks between January and March, but this year has exhibited a different geographical pattern, with 90% of cases concentrated in five frontline states, including Benue, Ondo, Taraba, Edo, and Plateau. Abubakar urged health workers to treat every case with caution and emphasized the importance of immediate laboratory testing to ensure timely treatment.

The Katsina State government is providing necessary drugs and support for effective management of the outbreak.