31 dead of Lassa fever in Nigeria

Thirty-one people have died of Lassa fever in Nigeria since the start of the year, the country's health minister has said.

The outbreak has spread to 15 states with "105 laboratory-confirmed cases", Isaac Adewole told reporters on Monday. 

Of the 31 dead, 10 were health workers, Mr Adewole said. 

On Tuesday, Ivory Coast warned its citizens against the disease, with Health and Public Hygiene Minister Raymonde Goudou Coffie saying the country had increased its vigilance, particularly with regards to travellers to the country.

Lassa fever is spread through contact with items contaminated by rat faeces or urine. In the same family as Ebola, the disease's symptoms include fever, vomiting, diarrhea and, in the worst cases, bleeding. 

In 2016, Nigeria suffered its worst outbreak of the virus in which more than 100 people died. 

BBC