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The death toll from an outbreak of Lassa fever spreading in 10 states across Nigeria has risen to 45.
Two people were confirmed dead late Thursday in the southwestern state of Ondo, where 31 others have been quarantined following the development, says the Ministry of Health.
A doctor who treated patients of Lassa fever at a hospital in Rivers state died from the virus, said Furo Green, the chairman of the Nigeria Medical Association in Rivers.
Nigeria’s capital Abuja recorded its first death from the virus this week.
Lassa fever is an acute and often fatal viral disease, occurring mainly in West Africa. It is usually transmitted by contact with the saliva or excreta of rats accessing homes and food stores.
It was first described in 1969 in the town of Lassa in Nigeria. In some cases, Lassa fever has similar symptoms with malaria.
The latest outbreak is said to be the worst of the virus in Nigeria in the past four years. It erupted November last year and the first reported case was in the northeastern state of Bauchi.
Nigerian authorities say they are capable of putting the outbreak under control, noting there is a high survival rate for those diagnosed early.
The Nigeria Center for Disease Control has started response efforts in all affected states, officials say.
