Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has confirmed that no fewer than 17 persons have died from Lassa fever across eight states in the country in the first three weeks of 2026.
Truth Live News Media reports that 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.
The NCDC, through its weekly epidemiological report for week three, said eight states included Bauchi, Taraba, Plateau, Ondo, Edo, Ebonyi, Benue and Nasarawa, reported new confirmed cases, with Bauchi state accounting for 46 percent 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 per cent, slightly lower than the 18.2 per cent recorded during the same period in 2025.
The Nigerian Public Health noted that four health workers were infected in week three, highlighting ongoing occupational risks amid the outbreak.
The agency said 89 percent of all confirmed cases were reported from Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba and Edo states, while the remaining 11 per cent came from five other states.
It said the age group most affected ranged from 21 to 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.
