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

Nigeria is grappling with a renewed surge in Lassa fever infections, as the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) reports 66 confirmed cases and seven deaths within a three-week period. The outbreak has spread across 23 states and 111 Local Government Areas, indicating a significant and ongoing public health challenge.

“

Nigeria is witnessing a renewed surge in Lassa fever infections, with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, (NCDC), reporting 66 confirmed cases and seven deaths within three consecutive epidemiological weeks.

The latest NCDC situation reports reveal a consistent rise in cases over three consecutive epidemiological weeks. Week 24 saw 13 confirmed infections and two deaths, which escalated to 22 confirmed cases and three deaths in Week 25, followed by 31 confirmed cases and two deaths in Week 26. This sustained transmission has prompted health authorities to issue a fresh alarm, warning that the country remains at risk and urging the public to stay vigilant.

“

The agency noted that as of Week 24, Nigeria had recorded a cumulative 5,801 suspected cases, 868 confirmed infections and 216 deaths, resulting in a Case Fatality Rate of 24.9 per cent, higher than the 18.9 per cent recorded during the same period in 2025.

Compounding the concern is a higher case fatality rate compared to the same period last year. As of Week 24, Nigeria had recorded a cumulative 868 confirmed infections and 216 deaths, resulting in a Case Fatality Rate of 24.9%, up from 18.9% in 2025. The NCDC attributes this increase to factors such as late patient presentation, poor health-seeking behaviors, high treatment costs, inadequate environmental sanitation, low public awareness, and infections among healthcare workers, highlighting the occupational risks faced by frontline personnel.

“

It attributed the high fatality rate to late presentation of patients, poor health-seeking behaviour, high treatment costs, poor environmental sanitation, low public awareness and infections among healthcare workers.

In response, the NCDC has ramped up its efforts to control the outbreak. This includes intensified surveillance, activation of its multi-sectoral Incident Management System, deployment of rapid response teams to high-burden states, enhanced laboratory diagnosis and contact tracing, training for healthcare workers, distribution of personal protective equipment, and scaled-up public awareness campaigns. The agency implores Nigerians to maintain good environmental hygiene, avoid contact with rodents, seek immediate medical attention for persistent fever, and refrain from self-medication, stressing that early detection and prompt treatment are crucial for survival.

“

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.