The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has issued a warning regarding an uptick in Lassa fever cases. Within a three-week period, officials documented 66 confirmed infections and seven fatalities. The disease currently impacts 111 local government areas across 23 states.
Data from epidemiological weeks 24 to 26 indicate a steady rise in transmission. Week 24 saw 13 confirmed cases and two deaths, followed by 22 cases and three deaths in week 25, reaching 31 cases and two deaths by week 26. Collectively, this brings the total since the start of the year to 504 suspected cases, 66 confirmed infections, and seven deaths.
Ondo, Bauchi, Taraba, Edo, and Benue states are responsible for 85 percent of all cases recorded this year. The current case fatality rate stands at 24.9 percent, an increase from 18.9 percent during the same timeframe in 2025. Factors contributing to this high rate include late medical intervention, inadequate sanitation, and limited public awareness. Additionally, one healthcare worker was reported infected in week 24, underscoring the dangers to medical staff.
To combat the spread, the NCDC has deployed rapid response teams, enhanced laboratory diagnostics, and activated an incident management system. The agency advises the public to prioritize hygiene, avoid contact with rodents, and seek medical help immediately if they develop symptoms, rather than resorting to self-medication.
