Lassa Fever Hits 1,000 Cases in Nigeria; 53 Health Workers Infected, NCDC Says

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported 1,000 confirmed cases of Lassa fever and 237 deaths nationwide by epidemiological week 30 of 2026, underscoring the severity of the ongoing outbreak.

The cumulative figures represent a case fatality rate (CFR) of 23.7 per cent, higher than the 18.8 per cent recorded during the same period in 2025.

In week 30 (July 20–26), Nigeria recorded 17 new confirmed cases and six deaths, bringing the total to 1,000 confirmed cases and 237 deaths.

The outbreak has now spread across 23 states and 116 local government areas (LGAs), with Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Benue and Edo accounting for 86 per cent of all confirmed cases.

The NCDC said 53 healthcare workers have been infected with Lassa fever in 2026, including one new infection recorded in week 30.

The high number of infections among health workers highlights the continued risk faced by frontline staff responding to the outbreak, particularly in settings where infection prevention and control measures may be weak or inconsistently applied.

The predominant age group affected remains people aged 21 to 30 years, according to the latest situation report.

While the number of new confirmed cases declined slightly from 20 in week 29 to 17 in week 30, the rising fatality rate indicates that a larger proportion of patients are dying compared with the same period last year.

Experts have attributed the high death toll to late presentation at health facilities, limited access to ribavirin (the antiviral used to treat Lassa fever), inadequate isolation capacity, weak laboratory networks and high treatment costs that deter some patients from seeking timely care.

The NCDC has repeatedly urged state governments to strengthen surveillance, improve case management, ensure adequate supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE) and enforce strict infection prevention and control protocols in health facilities.

In March 2026, the agency issued a public health advisory after a spike in infections among healthcare workers, noting 15 confirmed cases and two deaths among health staff by epidemiological week 7.

By mid-year, the number of infected health workers had risen to 45, and by late July it reached 53, reflecting persistent gaps in occupational safety and the need for continuous training on safe patient handling, triage and environmental hygiene.

Lassa fever is a viral haemorrhagic disease transmitted primarily through contact with food or household items contaminated by the urine or faeces of infected multimammate rats (Mastomys natalensis).

Human-to-human transmission can also occur through direct contact with the blood, tissue, secretions or excretions of an infected person, especially in healthcare settings without adequate infection control measures.

Symptoms include fever, headache, sore throat, muscle pain, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and, in severe cases, bleeding, facial swelling, fluid in the lungs and low blood pressure.

Early diagnosis and treatment with ribavirin can significantly reduce the risk of death, but many patients present late when the disease has already progressed to severe stages.

The NCDC has maintained a toll-free line (6232) and other communication channels for reporting suspected cases and obtaining guidance on prevention and management.

The agency has also called for strengthened state-level action, including active case finding, contact tracing, community engagement, rodent control measures and improved laboratory capacity to confirm cases quickly.

Partners such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and other development agencies have supported affected states with training, supplies and technical assistance to improve outbreak response and protect health workers.

Despite these efforts, the 2026 outbreak remains one of the most severe in recent years, with case numbers and fatalities exceeding those recorded during the same period in 2025.

Public health experts warn that without sustained investment in primary healthcare, laboratory networks, isolation centres, workforce training and community education, Nigeria will continue to face recurrent Lassa fever outbreaks with high mortality.

For now, the focus remains on reducing transmission, improving early detection and ensuring that patients receive timely, affordable and effective treatment to prevent further deaths among both the general population and healthcare workers.