Olushola Omogbehin
Nigeria has recorded a sudden rise in Lassa fever infections, with 82 confirmed cases and 20 deaths in one week.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) in its latest report on Tuesday established increased in Lassa Fever outbreak from 72 in week 6 to 82 in week 7 which signaled stable transmission across several states.
Among the states mostly affected are Bauchi (33%), Ondo (22%), Taraba (19%) and Edo (10%) while 12 other states share the remaining 16 per cent including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Kogi, Ebonyi, Kebbi, Kaduna and Benue.
In 2026 so far, about 14 states have reported at least one established case across many local government areas.
As the Lassa fever continues to affect a broad age range from 1 to 90 years, with the most affected age group being 21–30, the male-to-female ratio among confirmed cases is 1:0.8 according to the report.
In order to strengthen coordination of the response at all levels, NCDC said the national multi-partner, multi-sectoral Incident Management System (IMS) has been activated ,
It added as well that works are ongoing to enhance surveillance, support treatment centres, and improve community awareness to reduce the spreading of the disease.
Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness caused by the Lassa virus, which is transmitted to humans majorly through contact with food or household items contaminated by the urine or faeces of infected rats.
Lassa fever which can also spread from person to person through contact with bodily fluids, usually begins with fever, weakness and headache, and may progress to more severe symptoms such as bleeding, difficulty breathing, swelling, and organ failure.
