Lassa Fever: Lagos Raises Alarm as Nigeria Records 660 Cases, 167 Deaths

Lassa Fever: Lagos Raises Alarm as Nigeria Records 660 Cases, 167 Deaths

The Lagos State Government has raised a public health alert over a worsening Lassa fever outbreak in Nigeria, announcing the launch of a statewide awareness and prevention campaign as infections and fatalities continue to rise across multiple states.

The warning was issued by the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Akin Abayomi, who revealed that Nigeria is currently experiencing one of its most severe Lassa fever outbreaks in recent years, with over 660 confirmed cases and 167 deaths recorded between January and mid-March 2026.

He said the outbreak has now spread across 22 states and 93 local government areas, describing it as a serious national health threat requiring urgent, coordinated intervention from federal and state authorities.

The Commissioner expressed concern over infections among healthcare workers, disclosing that at least 38 health personnel have contracted the virus, while three doctors have died. He warned that infections among frontline workers signal a dangerous escalation that demands stricter infection control measures in hospitals and clinics.

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Lassa fever, a viral haemorrhagic disease transmitted mainly through contact with food or household items contaminated by infected rodents, can also spread between humans, particularly in healthcare settings with poor infection prevention practices.

Health authorities noted that Nigeria’s repeated outbreaks are being driven by environmental and behavioural factors, including poor sanitation, increased rodent exposure, deforestation, and climate-related ecological changes that bring humans closer to animal reservoirs of the virus.

Although Lagos is not classified as an endemic state, officials warned that its high population density and constant movement of people in and out of the state make it highly vulnerable to imported infections and rapid community spread if not quickly contained.

The Commissioner further warned that up to 70 per cent of infected individuals may show mild or no symptoms, increasing the risk of silent transmission in densely populated urban areas such as Lagos. He also noted that about one in five symptomatic cases can become severe or fatal, especially when diagnosis and treatment are delayed.

Lassa fever was described alongside diseases such as Ebola and Marburg virus disease as a high-risk pathogen capable of overwhelming health systems if not properly managed.

To respond to the rising threat, Lagos has activated a 24-hour Emergency Operations Centre, strengthened surveillance systems, and deployed digital health tools to improve early detection and reporting of suspected cases. Healthcare workers have also received additional training on infection prevention, biosecurity, and emergency response protocols.

The state government confirmed it is working closely with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, the Federal Ministry of Health, and specialist treatment centres to coordinate national response efforts.

As part of the response, Lagos has launched a statewide Lassa fever awareness campaign targeting markets, schools, transport hubs, and communities. Residents are being urged to maintain hygiene, store food properly, avoid rodent exposure, and seek early medical attention if symptoms such as fever, weakness, or unexplained bleeding appear.

Officials stressed that early diagnosis and treatment significantly improve survival rates and urged the public to remain calm but vigilant as efforts continue to contain the outbreak.

Lassa Fever: Lagos Raises Alarm as Nigeria Records 660 Cases, 167 Deaths