The Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) have released data on Saturday which shows that 101 people have died from Lassa Fever since August.
Nigeria is currently battling to contain a flare up of the virus which the nation's health authorities say already has 175 confirmed and suspected cases.
“As at today, 19 (including Abuja) states are currently following up contacts, or have suspected cases with laboratory results pending or laboratory confirmed cases,” the NCDC said in a statement.
NDDC also said cases of deaths from the virus were recorded in the nation’s political capital, Abuja, Lagos, and 14 other states, the NCDC said.
The first case of the the outbreak was in August but the outbreak of Lassa fever was only the first announced in January. This has led to fear that the extent of the outbreak may be under reported by the government.
Data from US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that the number of Lassa fever infections in West Africa every year is between 100,000 to 300,000, with about 5,000 deaths.
Its name is from the town of Lassa in northern Nigeria where it was first identified in 1969.
The virus is spread through contact with food or household items contaminated with rats’ urine or faeces or after coming in direct contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person.
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