Lassa Fever: UPDATES

Lassa fever in Nigeria, has between late December 2015 and January 14, 2016 resulted in 53 deaths in 10 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).


Lassa fever outbreak is a yearly occurrence during the dry season in Nigeria.

This year’s outbreak is more widespread with 10 states, 140 suspected and 30 confirmed cases.

The case fatality rate (CFR), according to  WHO Regional Office, is significantly high at 53 or 37.9% of all cases.

The outbreak is so far affecting Bauchi, Nasarawa, Niger, Taraba, Kano, Rivers, Edo, Oyo, Plateau states and the FCT.

Niger State is the most affected with 48 cases and 16 deaths.

Epidemiological link between the outbreaks of the different states has so far not been established.