The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has reported 17 fatalities from Lassa fever in the first three weeks of 2026. A total of 93 confirmed cases have been recorded across eight states: Bauchi, Taraba, Plateau, Ondo, Edo, Ebonyi, Benue, and Nasarawa. Bauchi State alone accounts for 46% of the infections.
The national Case Fatality Rate stands at 18.1%, with four healthcare workers infected recently. The NCDC has activated a national Incident Management System to coordinate treatment, drug distribution, and community engagement.
Key Points:
The outbreak represents an immediate health threat, particularly to young adults aged 21-30 who are the most affected demographic.
It strains public health resources, necessitating the distribution of antiviral drugs and special care protocols in multiple states.
Healthcare workers face significant occupational risk, as evidenced by recent infections, potentially impacting frontline response capacity.
The high fatality rate and recurring nature of the outbreak highlight systemic challenges in early detection, sanitation, and healthcare-seeking behaviour.
The timing, during the typical dry season peak, demands urgent public vigilance and intensified community-level hygiene and rodent control measures.
Containment relies heavily on improved public awareness, early reporting, and strengthened infection prevention controls in communities and healthcare settings.
Sources: Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)