Lassa fever surges as Nigeria records 66 cases, 7 deaths in 3 weeks

… 23 states affected, NCDC raises fresh alarm

By Chioma Obinna

Nigeria is witnessing a renewed surge in Lassa fever infections, with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) reporting 66 confirmed cases and seven deaths within three consecutive epidemiological weeks.

Meanwhile, the NCDC’s latest report also showed that the outbreak continued to spread across 23 states and 111 local government areas.

The latest NCDC situation reports show sustained transmission between epidemiological weeks 24 and 26, with health authorities warning that the country remains at risk and urging Nigerians to remain vigilant.

According to the reports, 149 suspected cases, 13 confirmed infections and two deaths were recorded in Week 24. The figures rose in Week 25 to 150 suspected cases, 22 confirmed cases and three deaths, before climbing further in Week 26 to 205 suspected cases, 31 confirmed cases, and two deaths.

The three-week tally brings the total to 504 suspected cases, 66 confirmed infections and seven deaths, underscoring the continued spread of the viral haemorrhagic disease.

The NCDC said the outbreak has now affected 23 states and 111 local government areas, with Ondo, Bauchi, Taraba, Edo and Benue states accounting for 85 per cent of all confirmed cases reported so far this year.

The agency noted that as of Week 24, Nigeria had recorded a cumulative 5,801 suspected cases, 868 confirmed infections and 216 deaths, resulting in a Case Fatality Rate of 24.9 per cent, higher than the 18.9 per cent recorded during the same period in 2025.

It attributed the high fatality rate to late presentation of patients, poor health-seeking behaviour, high treatment costs, poor environmental sanitation, low public awareness and infections among healthcare workers.

The NCDC also disclosed that one healthcare worker was infected during Week 24, highlighting the occupational risks faced by frontline health personnel.

To curb the outbreak, the agency said it has intensified surveillance, activated its multi-sectoral Incident Management System, deployed rapid response teams to high-burden states, strengthened laboratory diagnosis and contact tracing, trained healthcare workers, distributed personal protective equipment, and scaled up public awareness campaigns with support from local and international partners.

The NCDC urged Nigerians to maintain good environmental hygiene, prevent contact with rodents, seek immediate medical attention for persistent fever and other symptoms, and avoid self-medication, stressing that early detection and prompt treatment remain critical to reducing deaths from Lassa fever.

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