NCDC Raises Alarm as Lassa Fever Spreads Across 18 States

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has raised concern over a renewed spread of Lassa fever, with confirmed infections now reported in 18 states and 67 local government areas.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday, NCDC Director-General Dr Jide Idris said the outbreak was heaviest in Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Edo and Benue, which together account for more than 80 per cent of confirmed cases during the 2026 peak transmission period.

Idris said health workers are increasingly at risk, noting that 28 infections have been confirmed among frontline personnel this season and three of those workers have died. He said the pattern is troubling and reflects gaps in infection control at both primary and referral facilities.

According to the agency, investigations show that transmission remains concentrated in known endemic communities, but weak implementation of response plans has worsened outcomes. The NCDC said common problems include poor compliance with Infection Prevention and Control protocols, delayed activation of State Incident Management Systems, weak contact tracing and inadequate stockpiling of personal protective equipment.

The agency also linked late presentation of patients to financial barriers, stigma and poor standards in some isolation centres. Idris said these factors are increasing fatalities and making containment harder.

He called on state governments to urgently strengthen outbreak coordination, release response funds on time and enforce IPC standards in both public and private facilities. He also said states should institutionalise rodent control and environmental sanitation under a One Health approach.

For clinicians, the NCDC advised a high index of suspicion and strict adherence to IPC guidance in general outpatient and maternity settings where exposure has been recorded. For households, the agency urged residents to keep surroundings clean, block rodent entry into homes, store food safely and seek care early when symptoms appear.

Idris said Lassa fever remains treatable when detected quickly. He added that Nigeria is also responding to other epidemic-prone diseases, including cerebrospinal meningitis, diphtheria, mpox and cholera. The NCDC asked the public to report suspected cases through its toll-free emergency line, 6232.