ABUJA, March 6 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from a Lassa fever outbreak in Nigeria has risen to 132, with a fatality rate of about 17 percent, according to the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC).

In a statement made available to Xinhua on Friday, the NCDC said at least 11 deaths were recorded between Feb. 24 and March 1, out of 85 new confirmed cases during that week.

The overall confirmed cases across the country since the onset of the latest outbreak in January have risen to 775, the statement said.

Lassa fever is reportedly transmitted when saliva, urine, and excreta of rats come into contact with humans. In some cases, it has similar symptoms as malaria.

Recent epidemiological data show that Lassa fever usually occurs in the country during the dry season between January and April. Enditem

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