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Nigeria intensifies its fight against Lassa virus after 98 deaths in this year

Nigeria has been battling an outbreak of Lassa fever with 535 cases confirmed and 98 deaths across 14 states reported since the beginning of this year, a case fatality rate 18.3%.

Officials from Nigeria's Ministry of Health confirmed that a patient who had recently visited the United Kingdom, died after returning home. This has prompted contact-tracing efforts to be undertaken in both countries.

The Nigerian Centre for Disease Control has released a new advisory, urging increased awareness and prevention measures. This is especially important for healthcare workers as well as those who are in affected areas or traveling there.

The NCDC stresses that "early presentation to ensure diagnosis and treat the disease can greatly increase patient survival". Avoiding contact with infected people, surfaces, or contaminated foods are all precautions.

Lassa fever can be transmitted to humans by contact with food, household items or other objects contaminated with rodent excrement or urine. It can spread through body fluids.

Ondo state, Bauchi state, Edo state, Taraba and Ebonyi are the most affected. Fever, headaches and death are some of the symptoms.

Nigeria reported 190 deaths due to the disease in 2017 and announced that it had activated an emergency response center. (Reporting and editing by Ed Osmond, Isaac Anyaogu)

(source: Reuters)