By Yahaya Umar, Abuja
Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC has said that no fewer than 17 people have died from Lassa fever across eight states in Nigeria in the first three weeks of 2026.
AljazirahNigeria reports that the latest figure is higher than the 18.5% Case Fatality Rate, CFR, recorded during the same period in 2025 with 54 confirmed cases and 10 deaths reported across six states and 20 Local Government Areas.
NCDC via its weekly epidemiological report for week three, yesterday said eight states included Bauchi, Taraba, Plateau, Ondo, Edo, Ebonyi, Benue and Nasarawa, reported new confirmed cases, with Bauchi state accounting for 46 per cent of infections.
The centre said that the country recorded 93 confirmed cases from the states.
According to the report, the country’s Case Fatality Rate, CFR, currently stands at 18.1%, slightly lower than the 18.2% recorded during the same period in 2025.
Nigerian Public Health noted that four health workers were infected in week three, highlighting ongoing occupational risks amid the outbreak.
The agency said that 89% of all confirmed cases were reported from Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba and Edo states, while the remaining 11% came from five other states.
It said that the age group most affected ranged from 21to 30 years, with a median age of 27.5 years, and the male-to-female ratio among confirmed cases is 1:0.6.
The NCDC said the national Lassa fever multi-partner Incident Management System, IMS, had been activated to support response activities, including treatment of confirmed cases, distribution of medical countermeasures such as Ribavirin, and risk communication at the community level.
It noted challenges such as late hospital visits, poor health-seeking behaviour, and environmental sanitation issues, urging states to intensify community engagement and for healthcare workers to maintain high suspicion for early detection and treatment.
The agency also advised Nigerians to observe good hygiene practices and promptly report suspected cases to health authorities.
Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness caused by the Lassa virus, first identified in 1969 in the town of Lassa, Borno State.
It is endemic in Nigeria and parts of West Africa, with the virus primarily carried by the multimammate rat (Mastomys natalensis).
Humans become infected through contact with rodent excreta or contaminated food, and human-to-human transmission can occur in healthcare settings without proper infection prevention measures.
While many infections are mild or asymptomatic, about 20% can develop severe disease, presenting with fever, headache, vomiting, bleeding, and organ dysfunction.
The disease often peaks during the dry season (December–April) when rodent-human contact increases.
With no licensed vaccine available, control relies on community hygiene, rodent control, early detection, supportive care, and antiviral treatment with Ribavirin for selected patients.
Public health efforts in Nigeria focus on enhanced surveillance, risk communication, and strengthened clinical and laboratory response.
The total number of suspected and confirmed cases in January 2026 is lower than last year’s figures, experts however expressed concern over the sharp rise in CFR.
