The World Health Organization states a break out of Lassa fever in Nigeria might have contaminated approximately 450 individuals in less than 5 weeks.

The United Nations health company stated Tuesday that it is scaling up its action to the break out, which has actually infected 17 states.

In between Jan. 1 and Feb. 4, almost 450 believed cases were reported, which 132 are laboratory validated Lassa fever. Of these, 43 deaths were reported, consisting of 37 that were laboratory validated.

“The high number of Lassa fever cases is concerning. We are observing an unusually high number of cases for this time of year,” Dr. Wondimagegnehu Alemu, WHO Representative to Nigeria, said in a release.

The severe viral hemorrhagic fever is endemic in Nigeria. The existing break out is centered in the southern states of Edo, Ondo and Ebonyi.

Amongst those contaminated are 11 health employees. 4 passed away.

Like Ebola, the illness is spread out through contact with the physical fluids of ill individuals.

The tank, or host, of Lassa infection is a rodent, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s site states. People typically contract the infection from consuming food infected by the urine or feces of rodents.

The CDC states in the majority of people, signs are moderate and might consist of small fever, body pains and weak point. In about 20 percent contaminated people, it can advance to bleeding from the gums, nose or eyes, breathing distress and shock.

There is no vaccine to avoid it.