Lassa Fever in Nigeria spreads quickly

It is reported by the Nigeria Center for Disease Control that at least 78 people are dead and 353 people are confirmed as infected to “Lassa fever”. Moreover, 766 people are suspected to be infected and 3126 more people are being observed. This Lassa fever is normally found in areas of North Africa, spread by contacting with rats or with infected people. This outbreak has continued for 8 weeks spreading all over 18 states, causing 16 health workers infected and 4 of them died from it. It is said that the original fatality rate was only 1% but it was recorded as 23.8% of death rate in this recent outbreak. The director is NCDC, Dr.Chikwe Ihekweazu, said that the big problem about this issue is that many people mistake lassa fever for malaria.