Lassa Fever Kills 17 Nigerians Across Eight States in Three Weeks — NCDC

Lassa Fever Kills 17 Nigerians Across Eight States in Three Weeks — NCDC

At least 17 Nigerians have died from Lassa fever across eight states within the first three weeks of 2026, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), signaling renewed concern over the country’s seasonal outbreak.

The agency disclosed that Bauchi, Taraba, Plateau, Ondo, Edo, Ebonyi, Benue, and Nasarawa recorded new confirmed infections during the period, with Bauchi accounting for about 46 percent of total cases nationwide.

Nigeria recorded 93 confirmed cases, while the case fatality rate stands at 18.1 percent, slightly lower than the 18.2 percent reported during the same period in 2025.

Health authorities also confirmed that four healthcare workers were infected in week three, underscoring the occupational risks faced by frontline medical personnel managing the outbreak.

Further analysis showed that 89 percent of confirmed infections originated from Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, and Edo, with the remaining cases spread across other affected states.

The NCDC noted that the most affected age group is between 21 and 30 years, with a median age of 27.5 years, highlighting the growing impact of the disease on young adults.

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To strengthen containment efforts, the agency activated the national multi-partner Incident Management System, supporting treatment of confirmed cases, distribution of medical countermeasures such as Ribavirin, and intensified community risk communication.

The public health body identified persistent challenges including late hospital visits, poor health-seeking behaviour, and environmental sanitation issues, urging state governments and healthcare workers to intensify surveillance, promote hygiene, and ensure early detection and treatment.

Lassa fever is an acute viral illness primarily transmitted through contact with food or household items contaminated by rodent excreta, though human-to-human transmission can occur in healthcare settings without proper infection prevention measures.

Experts warn that the disease typically peaks during the dry season (December–April) when rodent-to-human contact increases, making preventive measures and public awareness critical to reducing fatalities.

Lassa Fever Kills 17 Nigerians Across Eight States in Three Weeks — NCDC