Lassa Fever in Nigeria (Update)

25 Jan 2016

The Lassa fever outbreak in Nigeria is not yet under control. The outbreak involves 17 states of the country and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

In the latest Daily Situation Report: eighteen (18) new suspected cases were reported from the following states: Niger (1), Kano (1), Rivers (1), Oyo (3) Plateau (4), Nassarawa (1), Ondo (2), Ebonyi (1) and Gombe (4). Four (4) new deaths were reported from the following states: Plateau (1), Ekiti (1), Ebonyi (1) and Osun (1).

Investigation into the outbreak is ongoing. A total of 239 suspected cases and 82 deaths have been recorded; 44 cases have been laboratory confirmed as Lassa virus.

Advice for Travellers

Lassa fever is a low risk for most travellers unless living in poor sanitary conditions with overcrowding in rural areas. Lassa fever is a viral disease transmitted by the Mastomys rat.

Travellers returning from affected areas who develop symptoms of fever, malaise, headache, sore throat, muscle pain, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and abdominal pain should seek medical advice.