Nigeria Records New COVID-19 Case in Cross River

The Government of Cross River State has confirmed a new COVID-19 case, triggering immediate activation of emergency health protocols, surveillance operations, and contact tracing measures across affected areas of the state.

The announcement was made in Calabar by the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Henry Ayuk, who disclosed that the case involves a 53-year-old Chinese expatriate working with Lafarge in Akamkpa Local Government Area.

According to him, the patient arrived in Nigeria on March 17, 2026, and later developed symptoms while in Cross River. He was first treated at a government health facility before being referred to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, where samples were taken and tested in line with established COVID-19 testing protocols. The results confirmed the presence of the virus.

Health authorities, however, assured residents that the patient is currently stable and responding to treatment, urging the public not to panic.

The commissioner explained that the state government deliberately followed due process before making the announcement public to ensure accuracy and prevent misinformation. He added that the health system in Cross River has been strengthened to handle infectious disease outbreaks and maintain effective surveillance.

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The State Epidemiologist, Dr Inyang Ekpenyong, confirmed that the State Emergency Response Unit (SERU) has been activated immediately following the confirmation of the case. She said rapid response teams have been deployed to Akamkpa Local Government Area to support containment efforts.

She further disclosed that health officials have begun contact tracing and line listing of individuals who may have been exposed to the patient, particularly those he came into contact with during his movement within the state.

Ekpenyong noted that the last confirmed COVID-19 case in Cross River was recorded in 2022, making the current situation a renewed focus for public health surveillance. She added that investigations are ongoing to determine whether the infection was contracted locally or imported.

According to preliminary assessments, the patient developed symptoms on April 10, 2026—more than two weeks after arriving in Nigeria. Health experts say this falls outside the typical 2–14 day COVID-19 incubation period, raising questions about possible local transmission.

The World Health Organization (WHO) representative in Cross River, Dr Yewande Olatunde, has also urged continued vigilance, stressing that COVID-19 remains a global public health concern despite reduced emergency classification.

She advised residents to maintain preventive practices such as proper hygiene, early reporting of symptoms, and adherence to public health guidance to reduce the risk of spread.

State health authorities emphasized that there is currently no cause for alarm, noting that containment systems, surveillance teams, and emergency response structures are fully active to prevent any potential outbreak.

Officials reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring that any suspected case of COVID-19 in Nigeria is swiftly detected, isolated, and managed to protect public health.

Nigeria Records New COVID-19 Case in Cross River

High-Salt Diet Linked to Faster Memory Decline in Men, Study Finds

A new study by researchers at Edith Cowan University has found that a diet high in salt may accelerate memory decline in men, highlighting the growing link between nutrition and long-term brain health.

The study, published in the journal Neurobiology of Aging, examined how sodium intake affects cognitive performance over time, particularly episodic memory, which is responsible for recalling personal experiences and everyday events.

Researchers tracked 1,208 adults over a 72-month period, analysing baseline sodium consumption and monitoring changes in cognitive function.

Findings showed that men with higher sodium intake experienced a significantly faster decline in episodic memory compared to those with lower salt consumption. However, the study found no significant association between sodium intake and memory decline in women.

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Episodic memory plays a crucial role in daily life, helping individuals remember routine experiences such as locations, conversations, and important personal events.

Lead researcher Samantha Gardener explained that while the exact biological mechanisms are still being studied, high salt intake may contribute to brain inflammation, vascular damage, and reduced blood flow to the brain, all of which can negatively affect cognitive performance over time.

Sodium is essential for normal body function, but excessive consumption has long been associated with high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and stroke risk, conditions that are also linked to cognitive decline and dementia in later life.

Health experts note that the findings reinforce global dietary recommendations to limit excessive salt intake, particularly as populations age and the burden of neurodegenerative diseases continues to rise.

The study adds to a growing body of research suggesting that dietary patterns—such as reduced sodium intake and balanced nutrition—may play an important role in protecting brain health and memory function across the lifespan.

High-Salt Diet Linked to Faster Memory Decline in Men, Study Finds

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