The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has confirmed that 70 people have died from Lassa fever in the first seven weeks of 2026, with 318 confirmed cases out of 1,469 suspected infections nationwide.
The figures, covering Epidemiological Weeks 1–7 (December 29, 2025 – February 15, 2026), indicate a Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 22 per cent, while 15 healthcare workers have also contracted the disease.
At a Saturday press briefing, NCDC Director-General, Dr Jide Idris, said the outbreak remains geographically concentrated, with five states accounting for 91 per cent of confirmed cases and 10 local government areas accounting for 68 per cent of infections.
“Lassa fever remains endemic in Nigeria and typically peaks during the dry season between November and May. The current trend aligns with established seasonal patterns. While the numbers are concerning, there is no cause for panic. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment significantly improve survival,” Idris said.
The NCDC has activated its Incident Management System to coordinate the national response, with weekly meetings of the National Lassa Fever Emergency Operations Centre ongoing.
Rapid Response Teams have been deployed to eight affected states, including Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Edo, Plateau, Benue, and Jigawa, with additional deployments planned as needed.
Laboratory testing commodities, treatment medicines, personal protective equipment (PPE), sanitisers, and other infection prevention materials have been distributed nationwide.
“Protecting healthcare workers remains a top priority. We are actively investigating the drivers of healthcare worker infections to better understand contributing factors,” Idris said.
He added that formal communications have been sent to Commissioners of Health, outlining key actions to strengthen infection prevention and control in health facilities.
The NCDC also addressed a recent rumour of Lassa fever at the NYSC camp in Kwara State, clarifying that investigations and risk communication measures ensured accurate information was disseminated to maintain public confidence.
“Our risk communication and infodemic management team worked closely with state authorities to investigate and address the concern. The state led timely communication, and at the national level, we amplified accurate information,” Idris explained.
The NCDC emphasised that the response is being implemented through a One Health approach, in collaboration with the Federal Ministries of Health and Social Welfare, Environment, Food Security, Livestock Development, and the National Veterinary Research Institute.
“We do not undertake this work alone. Strong partnerships across sectors are essential to containing outbreaks that have human, animal, and environmental dimensions,” Idris said.
Despite intensified efforts, the NCDC highlighted key challenges, including: Weak state-level ownership and gaps in contact tracing, Rising infections among healthcare workers, Stigma and delayed care-seeking, Limited funding for awareness campaigns in some states, Difficulty accessing hard-to-reach or insecure areas,Infrastructure gaps in treatment centres and under-utilisation of dialysis machines, Inconsistent availability of PPE.
“State ownership remains a key challenge, particularly in relation to contact tracing. When contacts are not identified early, cases are detected late, and that contributes to higher fatality rates,” Idris warned.
He also noted that a low index of suspicion among healthcare workers and redeployment of infection prevention focal persons are weakening infection control capacity in endemic regions.
The agency urged citizens to: Store food in rodent-proof containers; Keep homes and surroundings clean and block rodent entry points; Avoid drying food on roadsides or bare ground; Seek medical care immediately for persistent fever not responding to malaria treatment within 48 hours; Avoid self-medication
“Lassa fever is preventable and treatable when detected early. The national response remains fully activated, and we continue to monitor trends closely,” Idris said, advising Nigerians to seek verified information via the NCDC toll-free line (6232), the agency’s official website, and its verified social media handles.
