Disease Outbreak News

1996 - Sierra Leone

30 July 1996

Description of the situation

30 July 1996

Disease Outbreak Reported

From 1 January up to 21 July 1996, 246 cases of Lassa fever were reported. Of these 73 (29.6%) were fatal. The outbreak which was first reported in early May seems to be declining; about nine new cases occurred weekly in July compared to a weekly average of about 16 cases in June. Only two deaths were reported in the four week period ending 21 July.