The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has confirmed 318 cases of Lassa fever with 70 deaths in Nigeria since the start of 2026, highlighting a case fatality rate of 22 per cent.
Dr Jide Idris, Director General of the agency, disclosed that a total of 1,469 suspected cases have been reported.
Five states; Edo, Ondo, Taraba, Bauchi, and Ebonyi—accounted for 91 per cent of the confirmed infections, while 10 local government areas made up 68 per cent of cases.
To curb the outbreak, the NCDC has deployed its National Rapid Response Team to eight states, including Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Edo, Plateau, Benue, and Jigawa.
The agency is also collaborating with state governments to enhance surveillance, case management, and community engagement.
Dr Idris emphasised the importance of protecting healthcare workers, noting that 15 medical personnel have already been infected this year.
Poor infection control and low risk perception in some facilities have been identified as contributing factors.
Challenges highlighted include limited contact tracing, delayed care-seeking, and insufficient state funding for prevention activities, which increase the risk of infection and fatalities.
Idris urged citizens to practice environmental hygiene, control rodents, store food safely, and seek prompt medical attention if symptoms occur.
He also warned against misinformation, such as the false outbreak report at the Kwara State NYSC camp, which could hinder containment efforts.
Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic disease caused by the Lassa virus, an arenavirus primarily carried by the Mastomys rat.
Humans typically contract the virus through contact with food or household items contaminated by the rodent’s urine or feces. The disease is endemic in Nigeria and other parts of West Africa.
