Nigeria’s Centre for Disease Control (CDC) has announced that an outbreak of Lassa fever will cause 190 deaths in 2024, local press reported on Tuesday.

A total of 1,154 cases of Lassa fever have been recorded in six Nigerian states.
At a press conference in Abuja, Jide Idris, director of the CDC, said the CDC’s assessment of the risk of the disease was high, prompting the activation of the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) to respond to the outbreak.

He continued: “Infections occur throughout the year, but peak transmission typically occurs between October and May, coinciding with the dry season. The EOC will ensure coordination to control and manage the outbreak.

Symptoms of the disease include fever and headache, and in severe cases the virus can be fatal.