The Pacesetter Frontier Magazine

Tag: NCDC

  • 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.

  • Ebola: NCDC Steps Up Screening Of Travellers From Affected Countries

    Ebola: NCDC Steps Up Screening Of Travellers From Affected Countries

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has introduced enhanced surveillance measures for travellers arriving in Nigeria from countries affected by Ebola Virus Disease.

    The agency said passengers arriving from countries with active or relevant Ebola transmission may be required to complete a health declaration form as part of efforts to prevent the disease from being imported into the country.

    The NCDC disclosed this in an interim public health advisory issued on Tuesday following the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

    The advisory, signed by the agency’s Director-General, Dr Jide Idris, said the measures were introduced after an assessment of the evolving situation and consultations with public health experts and the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.

    According to the agency, affected travellers may be required to provide health and travel information through the Health Declaration Form to support surveillance and follow-up.

    However, the NCDC clarified that travellers arriving from countries without active or relevant Ebola transmission are not currently required to complete the form.

    The agency also urged Nigerians and other residents to remain alert to symptoms associated with Ebola and seek medical attention promptly if such symptoms occur.

    It advised individuals with relevant travel or exposure history to disclose such information when seeking medical care.

    The NCDC said Nigeria remained on high alert and that preparedness and response activities were ongoing to protect the country against the possible importation and spread of the disease.

    It added that the measures would be reviewed regularly based on developments in the Ebola outbreak and the outcome of ongoing public health risk assessments.

    The agency reaffirmed its commitment to protecting Nigerians through surveillance, preparedness and evidence-based response to emerging public health threats.

  • 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

  • NCDC: Cholera death toll now 816

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    The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control on Monday said medical interventions would not stop the outbreak of Cholera in the country.

    This is just as it put the current death toll at 816.

    This was contained in a statement by the centre’s Director General, Chikwe Ihekweazu, and titled ‘Cholera in Nigeria: Urgent call to strengthen water, sanitation and hygiene.’

     

    According to the statement, the NCDC is working with other agencies and partners to ensure that the spread of the disease is adequately curtailed.

     

    The statement partly read, “The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control is leading the national response to an outbreak of cholera across states in Nigeria. This has been exacerbated by poor access to clean water, open defecation, poor sanitation, and hygiene.

     

    “Between January 1 and August 1, 2021, 31,425 suspected cases of cholera, 311 confirmed cases and 816 deaths have been reported from 22 states and FCT.

     

    “The affected states are Benue, Delta, Zamfara, Gombe, Bayelsa, Kogi, Sokoto, Bauchi, Kano, Kaduna, Plateau, Kebbi, Cross River, Niger, Nasarawa, Jigawa, Yobe, Kwara, Enugu, Adamawa, Katsina, Borno and FCT.

     

    “Following an increase in the number of cholera cases, the National Cholera Emergency Operations Centre was activated on the 22nd of June 2021. The EOC which is hosted at NCDC, includes representation from the Federal Ministries of Environment and Water Resources, National Primary Health Care Development Agency World Health Organisation and partners.

    other support.

     

    “A reactive oral cholera vaccine campaign led by NPHCDA was conducted in Bauchi LGA, Bauchi State from 24th to 28th July 2021.

     

    “But none of these medical interventions will solve the underlying issues leading to cholera outbreaks.”

     

    Iheakweazu explained that since Cholera is a waterborne disease, the risk of transmission is higher when there is poor sanitation and disruption of clean water supply.

     

    He added that wrong disposal of refuse and practices such as open defecation endanger the safety of water used for drinking and personal use.

     

    Such situation, he explained, leads to the spread of water-borne diseases such as cholera.

     

    He warned that without proper water, sanitation and hygiene, Nigeria remains at risk of cholera cases and deaths.

     

    The NCDC boss added, “The long-term solution for cholera control lies in access to safe drinking water, maintenance of proper sanitation and hygiene.

     

    “We continue to advocate to state governments to prioritise action for solutions that ensure access to and use of safe water, basic sanitation and good hygiene practices in communities.

     

    “Additionally, we urge Nigerians to keep their environments clean, only drink or use water that is boiled and stored safely, ensure food is cooked and stored in a clean and safe environment, avoid open defecation and wash their hands regularly with soap and running water.

     

    “Cholera is preventable and treatable; however, it can be deadly when people who are infected do not access care immediately. Nigerians are advised to visit a health facility immediately, if they have sudden onset of profuse watery diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, and weakness.

     

    “As the NCDC continues to work with partners to lead the health-sector response to cholera outbreaks, we call for an urgent improvement in access to clean water, proper sanitation and hygiene.”

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Source: www.punchng.com

  • COVID 19: Another Covid 19 variant B.1.2.5 surfaces in Nigeria and 15 other countries,

    The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) announced on Monday that a new COVID-19 variant has been detected in Nigeria and 15 other countries.

     

    The NCDC, the Nigeria Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), and other partners released findings of household seroprevalence surveys (house to house survey) conducted in Lagos, Enugu, Nasarawa and Gombe states between September and October 2020.

     

     

     

    NCDC Director-General Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu made the disclosure at the media briefing by the PTF COVID-19.

     

    He explained that the new strain, B.1.2.5, which is different from the highly infectious B.1.1.7 has, however, is not yet tagged a variant of concern.

     

    He said researchers and scientists were still working hard to understand if the B.1.2.5 variant had any effect on the virus transmissibility, immunity, as well as diagnostics, vaccines and therapeutics.

     

     

     

    Ihekweazu said: ‘As we shared, a total of 54 cases with the B.1.1.7 variant strain, which is a variant of concern first described in the UK have been detected in Nigeria.

     

    ‘There is a new variant, the B.1.2.5 which we have begun to detect in Nigeria and 15 other countries. It is important to note that this variant has not been described as a variant of concern yet.

     

    ‘Researchers and scientists are still working hard to understand if this variant has any effect on the virus transmissibility, immunity, as well as diagnostics, vaccines and therapeutics.

     

    ‘This is because the variant has some similar mutations with the B.1.1.7, B.1.351 and P.1 variants first detected in the United Kingdom, South Africa and Brazil, respectively.’

     

    The NCDC boss assured that the agency was scaling up its sequencing capacity to have a better understanding of the burden of variants of concern in the country.

     

    Ihekweazu said ‘last week, we sent another 100 samples to our colleagues at the ACEGID lab in Ede, and we did 30 sequences in our lab at NCDC.

     

    ‘We will continue to scale the weekly number of samples sequenced as part of our surveillance.’

     

    According to him, the risk of virus mutation was higher when there is high transmission of the virus.

     

    ‘While sequencing is important for us to understand the situation, handwashing, physical distancing and the proper use of face masks are very important to prevent the spread of the virus,’ he further stressed.

     

    Speaking on the September and October 2020 household prevalence surveys carried out in Lagos, Enugu, Nasarawa and Gombe states, the NCDC boss said findings revealed the level of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among the population.

     

    ‘The findings from the survey show that the estimated prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in the population is 23 per cent in Lagos and Enugu states, 19 per cent in Nasarawa State and 9 per cent in Gombe State’

     

    ‘We are still working on a better understanding of SARS-CoV-2 which is the virus that causes COVID-19 and the duration of immunity,’ Ihekweazu said.

     

     

     

    Source: www.sunnewsonline.com