Nigeria: Death toll in Lassa fever outbreak rises to 101

The death toll from the recent outbreak of the Lassa fever in Nigeria has risen to 101, since its resurgence last year in August, the country’s Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has said. 

The center added that a total of 175 suspected and confirmed cases have been reported across 19 of Nigeria's 36 states, including the capital Abuja. The deaths were recorded across 15 states and Abuja. 

"As at today, 19 (including Abuja) states are currently following up contacts or have suspected cases with laboratory results pending or laboratory confirmed cases," an NCDC report detailing incidents since the outbreak said late Saturday. 

Hundreds of people reported to have had contacts with the established cases are also being watched. In the commercial capital city of Lagos alone, over 534 contacts are being traced from 20 suspected cases. Of the 20, 14 have tested negative, four positive while laboratory results are awaited for the remaining two. Of the four positives, two resulted in death. 

Experts describe Lassa fever as an acute febrile illness with bleeding and death in severe cases. 

About 80 percent of human infections are said to be asymptomatic. In the remaining cases, the virus affects several organs in the body, such as the liver, spleen and kidneys. 

Lassa fever’s name comes from the Nigerian village where it was first reported in 1969.