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Lassa Fever Death Toll Rises to 252 as Confirmed Cases Reach 1,035 — NCDC

September 10, 2026September 1, 2026 by admin

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has recorded 14 new confirmed cases of Lassa fever in epidemiological week 33, raising the total number of confirmed infections to 1,035. The latest cases were recorded between August 10 and August 16, in Ondo, Bauchi, Edo and Benue states, according to the situation report released in Abuja on Tuesday. According to the agency, cumulative deaths increased to 252, while the case fatality rate rose to 24.4 per cent, higher than the 18.6 per cent recorded in 2025. “The 14 new cases represented an increase from four cases reported during epidemiological week 32, when cases were recorded in Ondo and Edo states. “In week 32, cumulative infections reached 1,021, with 240 deaths and a case fatality rate of 23.5 per cent,” it said. The agency said that the week 32 figure represented a decline from 17 confirmed cases recorded during epidemiological week 31, indicating fluctuations in weekly transmission. “By week 33, 23 states had reported at least one confirmed lassa fever case across 117 local government areas. “Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Benue and Edo states accounted for 87 per cent of all confirmed cases recorded cumulatively by week 33. “The five states also accounted for 86 per cent of confirmed cases in week 32, maintaining their position as the major affected states. “People aged 21 to 30 years remain the predominant age group affected by lassa fever during both reporting weeks,” the agency said. According to the NCDC, no new healthcare worker infection was recorded during week 32, while week 33 also recorded no newly affected healthcare worker. It said that the agency would continue surveillance and response activities as lassa fever remained a significant public health concern across affected states. NAN

NCDC Raises Alarm as Lassa Fever Kills Two Health Workers, 15 Infected

February 16, 2026 by admin

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control on Monday raised an alarm over the increasing spread of Lassa fever among health care workers. The disease control agency noted that so far, two health workers have been killed, while 15 confirmed cases of Lassa fever have been documented among health care workers as Nigeria battles another outbreak of the zoonotic disease. In an advisory released on Monday, the NCDC expressed its sympathy to the affected health workers. “Recent surveillance data indicate a concerning increase in Lassa fever infections among healthcare workers, with 15 confirmed cases and 2 deaths recorded as of Epidemiological Week 7. Healthcare worker infections have been reported across multiple states, including the known high-burden areas such as Ondo, Edo, Bauchi, Taraba, Ebonyi, and Benue, with specific hotspots often identified at the LGA level. “As part of its mandate, NCDC investigates every healthcare worker infection to identify drivers of transmission and prevent further cases. Recent findings reveal gaps in infection prevention and control practices, as well as missed risks of exposure in certain departments. “These gaps have resulted in IPC strategies that are misaligned with actual exposure risks, with fatal consequences.” Lassa fever, an animal-borne or zoonotic, acute viral illness spread by the common African rat, also known as the Mastomys rat species, is endemic in Nigeria and some other West African countries. Since the last outbreak of the disease in 2016, there has been an increase in the number of recurring cases. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness caused by the Lassa virus, a member of the arenavirus family of viruses. Humans usually become infected with the Lassa virus through exposure to food or household items contaminated with urine or faeces of infected Mastomys rats. The disease is endemic in the rodent population in parts of West Africa. Lassa fever is known to be endemic in Benin, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Sierra Leone, Togo, and Nigeria, but probably exists in other West African countries as well. “Person-to-person infections and laboratory transmission can also occur, particularly in healthcare settings in the absence of adequate infection prevention and control measures,” the global health body stated.

NCDC Confirms Surge In Lassa Fever Cases

June 13, 2025 by admin

Lassa fever is surging again across Nigeria, with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention confirming a higher death rate and more infections despite ongoing public health interventions. In its latest Situation Report for Epidemiological Week 22 (May 26 to June 1), on Friday, the NCDC said eight new confirmed cases were recorded in Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, and Nasarawa states, representing a slight rise from six cases reported in the previous week. It said that so far in 2025, Nigeria has reported 747 confirmed cases and 142 deaths, marking a case fatality rate of 19.0 per cent a concerning increase from 18.1 per cent recorded during the same period in 2024. The disease has now spread across 18 states and 96 local government areas, with five states Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba, and Ebonyi, accounting for a staggering 91% of all confirmed infections. Although the agency said there were no new infections among healthcare workers in the reporting week and no probable cases, challenges persist. Meanwhile, experts continue to raise concerns over late presentation of cases, poor sanitation in endemic communities, and limited health-seeking behaviour, all of which hamper effective containment. Health authorities said that the response efforts have been intensified. The NCDC said it has deployed rapid response teams, launched community sensitisation campaigns, and activated an e-learning platform to train health workers on infection prevention and control. Speaking on the resurgence, a public health expert, Dr Solomon Chollom, noted that the rise in cases signals a need for more grassroots surveillance and environmental hygiene education. “We can’t fight Lassa with hospital efforts alone. The communities must be empowered to understand how this disease spreads, mainly through contact with rodent urine or faeces and what they can do to prevent it,” Chollom said. He said that Lassa fever, a viral haemorrhagic illness, is endemic in Nigeria and typically spikes during the dry season “However, the year-round transmission pattern seen in recent years suggests a shift in the disease’s behaviour, likely linked to urbanisation, climate factors, and persistent gaps in sanitation,” he said. The agency also noted that young adults between 21 and 30 years remain the most affected age group, indicating the need for targeted public education in schools, marketplaces, and workplaces. In response, experts were urging state governments and local councils to invest in waste disposal systems, community health surveillance, and early case reporting mechanisms. The News Agency of Nigeria, reports that as Nigeria continues its battle against multiple public health threats, including cholera and Mpox, the ongoing Lassa fever outbreak is a stark reminder of the country’s fragile health security infrastructure and the need for collective, coordinated action. Meanwhile, Lassa fever can also spread from person to person through bodily fluids, contaminated objects, or infected medical equipment. Symptoms include fever, sore throat, headache, vomiting, muscle pain, and in severe cases, bleeding from body openings. (NAN)

NCDC Confirms UK Returnee’s Lassa Fever Death, Toll Reaches 98

March 10, 2025 by admin

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed the death of a 31-year-old physician who succumbed to Lassa fever after returning from the United Kingdom. The agency also reported that the cumulative number of Lassa fever cases has risen to 535 out of 2,728 suspected cases, with 98 deaths recorded across 14 states in Nigeria as of March 2, 2025. The NCDC, which disclosed this in a public advisory on Sunday, stated, “On March 5, 2025, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention was notified of a confirmed case of Lassa fever by the Ondo State Ministry of Health. The patient, a 31-year-old physician, was managed at a private health facility in Ondo State after returning from a trip abroad (UK). “The patient departed Nigeria on 19/02/2025 and returned on 27/02/2025. Samples were taken late on Friday, 28/02/2025, on suspicion of Lassa fever, but the patient unfortunately passed away in the early hours of Saturday, 01/03/2025. “Laboratory investigation confirmed the result as Lassa fever-positive through PCR testing on Tuesday, 04/03/2025. The patient was reported to have visited his fiancée in Edo State, as well as family and friends, before travelling.” Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic fever caused by the Lassa virus. The natural reservoir for the virus is the multimammate rat (also known as the African rat), although other rodents can also act as carriers. The public health institute stated that Lassa fever cases occur year-round, with peak transmission periods typically from October to May. “As of Epi-week 9 (February 24, to March 2, 2025), a total of 2,728 suspected cases, 535 confirmed cases, and 98 deaths have been recorded across 14 states in Nigeria, with a case fatality rate of 18.3 per cent. “Five states account for 91 per cent of confirmed cases: Ondo (31 per cent), Bauchi (24 per cent), Edo (17 per cent), Taraba (16 per cent), and Ebonyi (3 per cent). “Ten local government areas make up 68 per cent of confirmed cases, namely: Owo, Akure South, Etsako West, Kirfi, Akoko South-West, Bali, Esan North-East, Bauchi, Toro, and Jalingo.” Meanwhile, to strengthen both national and international coordination efforts, the Ondo State Ministry of Health has intensified control measures, including contact tracing and listing all individuals who had contact with the confirmed case. The NCDC added that all necessary in-country structures had been mobilised to ensure proper monitoring of contacts. Port Health Services are involved in tracing in-flight contacts to bolster surveillance at points of entry, and information has been shared with relevant authorities in line with the International Health Regulations (2005). Contact tracing efforts are also ongoing in the UK. Lassa fever is transmitted through direct contact with the urine, faeces, saliva, or blood of infected rodents; ingestion of food or drinks contaminated with the bodily fluids of infected rats; and contact with contaminated objects, household items, or surfaces. Person-to-person transmission can also occur through contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person, particularly in healthcare settings where infection prevention and control practices are inadequate. Lassa fever initially presents with symptoms similar to other common febrile illnesses, such as malaria. Symptoms include headache, general body weakness, cough, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, muscle pains, chest pain, sore throat, and, in severe cases, bleeding from the ears, eyes, nose, mouth, and other body openings. “Early detection, diagnosis, and treatment significantly improve patient survival rates. Prompt reporting of symptoms ensures timely intervention, thereby increasing the chances of survival,” the NCDC stated. Punch

Lassa Fever Death Toll Rises to 252 as Confirmed Cases Reach 1,035 — NCDC

NCDC Raises Alarm as Lassa Fever Kills Two Health Workers, 15 Infected

NCDC Confirms Surge In Lassa Fever Cases

NCDC Confirms UK Returnee’s Lassa Fever Death, Toll Reaches 98

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