Lassa fever death toll hits 161 in Nigeria

The death toll of Lassa fever in Nigeria has hit 161 involving at least four health workers among the fresh dead victims, local health authorities confirmed on Wednesday.

Chikwe Ihekweazu, director-general of the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC), said a total of 906 confirmed cases of this viral hemorrhagic fever have been recorded so far.

The number of suspected cases has also increased significantly with the figure rising to 3,735, Ihekweazu told reporters in Abuja.

Lassa fever is reportedly transmitted when saliva, urine, and excreta of rats come into contact with humans. In some cases, it has similar symptoms as malaria.

At least 27 out of 36 states in Nigeria, including its economic hub Lagos, have been affected by the disease, since the onset of the outbreak in January.

The NCDC said it has continued to scale up its preparedness and response for Lassa fever outbreak across the country.

Recent epidemiological data show that Lassa fever usually occurs in the country during the dry season between January and April.