The World Health Organization (WHO) welcomes the announcement from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) of the end of the emergency phase of the 2019 Lassa fever outbreak following a joint epidemiological review by the NCDC,  WHO and partners. WHO however calls on all partners to remain vigilant to better protect all Nigerians against the disease.

From 01 January to 19 May 2019, a total of 575 confirmed cases including 129 deaths were reported from 82 Local Government Areas (LGAs) across 21 states (Edo, Ondo, Bauchi, Nasarawa, Ebonyi, Plateau, Taraba, FCT, Adamawa, Gombe, Kaduna, Kwara, Benue, Rivers, Kogi, Enugu, Imo, Delta, Oyo, Kebbi and Cross River).

Following an increase in the number of new cases reported since the beginning of the year, NCDC declared on 21 January 2019 an outbreak of Lassa fever- an acute viral haemorrhagic illness that occurs in West Africa transmitted to humans via contact with food or household items contaminated with rodent urine or faeces.  

Since the beginning of the outbreak, WHO actively supported Nigeria and affected States in responding to the epidemic by mobilizing human, material and financial resources including piloting innovative interventions to help stop the spread of the disease. 

In the early stages, WHO mobilized its network of field offices to assist State health authorities in active case investigation, community sensitization, surveillance and case management. 

To read more visit the WHO Africa page here