Lassa Fever Killed 242 People In Nigeria In 2020

A total of 242 people have died of Lassa fever in 2020 in Nigeria.

The figures are part of a report released by the country’s National Center for Disease Control (NCDC), which shows an additional 72 deaths as against 2019.

Lassa fever is a disease that is more common in humans who are exposed to food or household items contaminated with urine or faeces of infected Mastomys rats.

Outbreaks have been reported in 27 Nigerian states and 130 out of 774 local government areas across the country.

Meanwhile, the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 has directed all 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to reopen all laboratories and isolation centres.

Speaking to newsmen at a briefing on Tuesday evening, Chairman of the PTF, Boss Mustapha, also asked states and the FCT to increase COVID-19 testing.

“We wish to urge all states to reopen all laboratories and ensure that testing is expanded and turnaround time for results is substantially reduced.