By James Mmasenyene
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has raised fresh concerns over the continued spread of Lassa fever, urging strengthened surveillance, early detection and prompt treatment after confirming 66 cases and seven deaths across the country over three consecutive epidemiological weeks.
According to its latest situation report released on Friday, infections were recorded between Weeks 24 and 26, affecting 23 states and 111 local government areas. In Week 24, 13 confirmed cases and two deaths were reported from 149 suspected cases. In Week 25, figures rose to 22 confirmed cases and three deaths out of 150 suspected cases. By Week 26, the country recorded 31 confirmed cases and two deaths from 205 suspected cases. This brings the total for the three-week period to 504 suspected cases, 66 confirmed infections and seven deaths.
The NCDC noted that Ondo, Bauchi, Taraba, Edo and Benue states accounted for 85 per cent of all confirmed cases so far this year. As of Week 24, Nigeria had recorded a cumulative 5,801 suspected cases, 868 confirmed infections and 216 deaths, with a case fatality rate of 24.9 per cent, higher than the 18.9 per cent recorded during the same period in 2025.
The agency linked the high fatality rate to late presentation of patients at health facilities, poor health-seeking behaviour, high treatment costs, poor sanitation, low public awareness and infections among healthcare workers. One healthcare worker was infected during Week 24, underscoring the risks faced by frontline personnel.
To contain the outbreak, the NCDC said it has strengthened disease surveillance, activated its multi-sectoral Incident Management System, deployed rapid response teams to affected states, expanded laboratory testing and contact tracing, trained healthcare workers, distributed personal protective equipment, and intensified public awareness campaigns with support from development partners.
