Forty people have died in Nigeria in a suspected outbreak of Lassa fever in 10 states across the country, Health Minister Isaac Adewole said Friday.
“The
total number (of suspected cases) reported is 86 and 40 deaths, with a
mortality rate of 43.2 percent,” Adewole told a news conference in the capital,
Abuja.
The
minister said that so far, laboratory tests have confirmed that 22 of the 86
suspected cases were Lassa fever and results were expected on the remainder.
Seven
of the affected states are in the north — Bauchi, Nasarawa, Niger, Taraba,
Kano, Plateau and Gombe — while the remaining three are in the south — Rivers,
Edo and Oyo — he added.
The
first case of the disease was recorded last November in Bauchi state. Cases
were then reported in Kano and elsewhere.
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