The Pacesetter Frontier Magazine

Tag: Lassa fever

  • Nigeria Records 263 Lassa Fever Deaths, 1,115 Confirmed Cases, Says NCDC

    Nigeria Records 263 Lassa Fever Deaths, 1,115 Confirmed Cases, Says NCDC

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    Nigeria recorded 263 deaths from Lassa fever among 1,115 confirmed cases between January and September 20, 2026, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention.

    The figures were contained in the NCDC’s situation report for September 14 to 20, which showed that the case fatality rate had risen to 23.6 per cent, compared with 18.5 per cent recorded during the same period in 2025.

    The agency reported 906 confirmed infections and 168 deaths within the corresponding period last year.

    According to the report, Nigeria recorded 8,218 suspected cases in the first 38 weeks of 2026, compared with 7,792 during the same period in 2025. Confirmed infections were reported in 119 local government areas across 24 states.

    Five states accounted for approximately 87 per cent of confirmed cases, with Ondo recording the highest number at 393.

    Bauchi followed with 260 cases, while Taraba recorded 133, Edo had 122, and Benue reported 61 confirmed infections.

    During the week under review, the country recorded 11 new confirmed cases and four deaths from 120 suspected cases. The weekly number of confirmed infections dropped from 17 in the preceding week.

    The report identified people aged 21 to 30 as the most affected group, although confirmed cases occurred among individuals aged between one and 93 years.

    No new infection among healthcare workers was reported during the week, but the cumulative number of affected health workers stood at 54.

    The NCDC attributed the rising fatality rate partly to patients arriving at health facilities late, which can delay diagnosis and treatment.

    Other challenges identified by the agency included the high cost of treatment, poor environmental sanitation, limited awareness in highly affected communities and infections among healthcare workers.

    To strengthen the response, the NCDC urged state governments to sustain community awareness campaigns on Lassa fever prevention throughout the year.

    It also advised healthcare workers to maintain a high level of suspicion for the disease, refer suspected cases promptly, initiate timely treatment and adhere to infection prevention and control measures.

    The agency said response efforts included active case searches, contact tracing, training for frontline health workers, distribution of protective equipment and continued laboratory testing.

    The national Lassa fever technical working group also continued to coordinate response activities across different levels of the health system.

  • NCDC Reports 1,086 Confirmed Lassa Fever Cases, 259 Deaths

    NCDC Reports 1,086 Confirmed Lassa Fever Cases, 259 Deaths

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has reported 1,086 confirmed cases of Lassa fever and 259 deaths across 24 states in Nigeria in 2026.

    The figures were contained in the agency’s Lassa Fever Situation Report for epidemiological week 36, covering August 31 to September 6, 2026.

    According to the report, Nigeria recorded 12 new confirmed cases during the week, representing a decline from the 18 cases reported in the preceding epidemiological week.

    The new infections were recorded in Ondo, Edo and Kogi states.

    With 259 deaths among the 1,086 confirmed cases, the case fatality rate stood at 23.9 per cent.

    The NCDC noted that the current fatality rate remained higher than the 18.6 per cent recorded during the corresponding period in 2025.

    The agency said confirmed cases had been reported in 118 local government areas across the 24 affected states.

    Five states, namely Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Benue and Edo, accounted for 87 per cent of all confirmed cases recorded in the country during the year.

    The report also identified people aged between 21 and 30 as the age group most affected by the disease.

    No new healthcare worker was reported to have contracted Lassa fever during epidemiological week 36, according to the NCDC.

    The latest figures represent an increase from the 1,074 confirmed cases and 258 deaths recorded at the end of epidemiological week 35.

    During week 35, Nigeria recorded 18 new confirmed cases in Ondo, Edo and Bauchi states, while the case fatality rate stood at 24 per cent.

    The NCDC said 86 per cent of the confirmed cases recorded by week 35 had come from Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Benue and Edo states.

    The agency said it would continue surveillance and response activities across affected states, with particular attention to confirmed infections, fatalities and possible infections among healthcare workers.

    Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness that can be transmitted to humans through contact with food or household items contaminated by infected rodents. Human-to-human transmission can also occur, particularly in healthcare settings without adequate infection prevention and control measures.

  • Lassa Fever: NCDC Urges Nigerians to Step Up Prevention Ahead of Peak Season

    Lassa Fever: NCDC Urges Nigerians to Step Up Prevention Ahead of Peak Season

    The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, NCDC, has urged Nigerians to intensify preventive measures against Lassa fever ahead of the dry season, warning that cases typically increase between November and April.

    The Director-General of the NCDC, Dr Jide Idris, gave the warning on Wednesday in Abuja at a national health security media briefing, stressing the need for early preparedness before the peak transmission period.

    Idris said although Lassa fever occurs throughout the year, cases tend to increase during the dry season, making the period before the peak season critical for prevention and preparedness.

    “Lassa fever occurs throughout the year, but cases tend to increase during the dry season, particularly between November and April. We are not yet in that peak period, and that gives us an important opportunity to act now,” he said.

    The NCDC said findings from its After Action Review of the last Lassa fever outbreak showed persistent gaps in early care-seeking, infection prevention and control, environmental sanitation, state-level preparedness and the functionality of health facilities.

    According to the agency, delays in seeking appropriate medical care, self-treatment and visits to multiple health facilities before Lassa fever was suspected contributed to challenges in managing cases.

    It also identified infections among healthcare workers, particularly when health facilities were under pressure, as well as environmental and household risks associated with poor sanitation, unsafe food storage and exposure to rodents.

    Idris said the findings underscored the need to strengthen the entire response chain, from prevention and early detection to diagnosis, referral and treatment.

    He disclosed that the NCDC had developed an Accelerated Readiness Plan to guide preparedness activities ahead of the peak Lassa fever season.

    “Our approach during this period will be firmly grounded in One Health. Lassa fever cannot be prevented and controlled by the health sector acting alone. Health, Environment, Agriculture, Livestock, Local Governments and communities have distinct but complementary responsibilities,” he said.

    According to him, the plan will focus on measures to be implemented between now and the peak season, with additional attention and resources directed to areas where available data indicate that the burden and risk are highest.

    Under the plan, the agency said priority would be given to early detection and reporting of suspected cases, reducing exposure to rodents, promoting prompt care-seeking and ensuring healthcare workers can recognise, report and appropriately refer suspected cases.

    It added that efforts would be made to ensure prompt transportation and testing of samples, as well as timely communication of results to healthcare providers.

    The NCDC urged households to store food items such as rice, garri, beans and maize in tightly covered containers and avoid leaving food exposed to rodents.

    It also advised Nigerians to seal openings through which rodents could enter homes, reduce clutter that provides hiding places for rodents and maintain clean surroundings through proper waste disposal.

    The agency cautioned against handling rodents with bare hands or unnecessary contact with their urine, faeces and other body fluids.

    It further advised people who develop fever or other symptoms, particularly those living in or travelling to areas where Lassa fever is endemic, to seek medical attention promptly.

    “If you have treated what you believe to be malaria and your symptoms persist, please do not continue treating yourself at home. Seek appropriate medical attention,” the agency advised.

    The NCDC also called on state and local governments, particularly those with recurrent Lassa fever transmission, to strengthen environmental sanitation, waste management, surveillance, laboratory referral systems and the readiness of designated treatment centres.

    It urged health authorities to investigate every Lassa fever infection involving a healthcare worker, appropriately follow up exposed workers and promptly address identified gaps.

    The agency urged healthcare workers to remain vigilant, saying: “THINK LASSA. PROTECT. REPORT. REFER.”  Vanguard

  • Death toll rises to 13 as Edo confirms 115 Lassa fever cases

    Death toll rises to 13 as Edo confirms 115 Lassa fever cases

    The death recorded from Lassa fever in Edo State has risen to 13, as confirmed cases climbed to 115 since the outbreak of the disease in the state.

    The State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akoria Obehi, who disclosed this to journalists in Benin over the weekend said the fatality figures from Lassa fever have risen to 13 while confirmed cases are 113.

    According to him, the government was stepping up efforts to contain the disease across communities in the local governments in the state.

    “We have recorded eight new cases, with the new figures; we now have 115 persons affected with the virus who are currently receiving care at the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital.”

    While noting that the state is adequately prepared and equipped to handle reported cases of Lassa fever, Prof. Akoria, charged the people who experience symptoms such as severe headache, vomiting, and high fever, among others to rush to the nearest healthcare for treatment.

    (Daily Trust)