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

Nigeria is facing a renewed surge in Lassa fever infections, with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) reporting 66 confirmed cases and seven deaths over three consecutive epidemiological weeks. The outbreak continues to spread, now affecting 23 states and 111 local government areas nationwide.

Sustained transmission was observed between epidemiological weeks 24 and 26. Health authorities have issued warnings, urging Nigerians to remain vigilant. The NCDC's situation reports indicate a rise in cases, with Week 24 recording 13 confirmed infections and two deaths, increasing to 22 cases and three deaths in Week 25, and further climbing to 31 cases and two deaths in Week 26.

Ondo, Bauchi, Taraba, Edo, and Benue states account for 85% of all confirmed cases reported this year. The NCDC noted a cumulative total of 5,801 suspected cases, 868 confirmed infections, and 216 deaths by Week 24, resulting in a Case Fatality Rate of 24.9%. This rate is higher than the 18.9% recorded during the same period in the previous year.

The agency attributes the high fatality rate to several factors, including patients presenting late for treatment, poor health-seeking behaviors, high treatment costs, inadequate environmental sanitation, low public awareness, and infections among healthcare workers. One healthcare worker was infected in Week 24, highlighting the occupational risks. The NCDC is intensifying surveillance, deploying response teams, strengthening diagnostics, and conducting awareness campaigns to curb the outbreak.

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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.