No fewer than 17 Nigerians have died from Lassa fever in the first three weeks of 2026 as the disease continues to spread across eight states, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has said.
In its latest weekly epidemiological report released on Thursday, the agency disclosed that 93 confirmed cases had been recorded in Bauchi, Taraba, Plateau, Ondo, Edo, Ebonyi, Benue and Nasarawa states, with Bauchi alone accounting for about 46 per cent of the infections.
The NCDC said the current case fatality rate stood at 18.1 per cent, slightly lower than the 18.2 per cent recorded during the same period in 2025, but warned that the figures remained worrisome given the rapid spread and continued late presentation of patients to health facilities.
It also revealed that four health workers were infected in week three, underscoring persistent occupational risks and gaps in infection prevention and control in healthcare settings.
According to the agency, 89 per cent of confirmed cases were reported from Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba and Edo states, while the remaining 11 per cent came from five other states.
The most affected age group ranged between 21 and 30 years, with a median age of 27.5 years, and a male-to-female ratio of 1:0.6.
“The national Lassa fever multi-partner Incident Management System has been activated to coordinate response activities nationwide,” the NCDC said, adding that efforts were ongoing to scale up treatment of confirmed cases, distribute essential medicines such as Ribavirin, and intensify community risk communication.
The agency identified late health-seeking behaviour, poor environmental sanitation and delayed hospital presentation as major drivers of fatalities, urging states to strengthen surveillance and community engagement, while advising healthcare workers to maintain a high index of suspicion for early diagnosis and prompt treatment.
It also called on Nigerians to observe strict hygiene practices, improve food storage, control rodents in homes and communities, and promptly report suspected cases to health authorities.
Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness endemic in Nigeria and parts of West Africa.
It is primarily transmitted through contact with urine or faeces of infected multimammate rats or contaminated food, while human-to-human transmission can occur in healthcare settings without adequate infection control measures.
Although many infections are mild or asymptomatic, about 20 per cent can progress to severe illness marked by fever, vomiting, bleeding and organ failure.
The disease typically peaks during the dry season, between December and April, when human-rodent contact increases.
With no licensed vaccine currently available, public health authorities rely on improved hygiene, rodent control, early detection, supportive care and timely use of antiviral treatment to curb outbreaks.
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