The Digest:
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has reported 17 fatalities from Lassa fever in the first three weeks of 2026. A total of 93 confirmed cases have been recorded across eight states: Bauchi, Taraba, Plateau, Ondo, Edo, Ebonyi, Benue, and Nasarawa. Bauchi State alone accounts for 46% of the infections. The national Case Fatality Rate stands at 18.1%, with four healthcare workers infected recently. The NCDC has activated a national Incident Management System to coordinate treatment, drug distribution, and community engagement.
Key Points:
- The outbreak represents an immediate health threat, particularly to young adults aged 21-30 who are the most affected demographic.
- It strains public health resources, necessitating the distribution of antiviral drugs and special care protocols in multiple states.
- Healthcare workers face significant occupational risk, as evidenced by recent infections, potentially impacting frontline response capacity.
- The high fatality rate and recurring nature of the outbreak highlight systemic challenges in early detection, sanitation, and healthcare-seeking behaviour.
- The timing, during the typical dry season peak, demands urgent public vigilance and intensified community-level hygiene and rodent control measures.
Containment relies heavily on improved public awareness, early reporting, and strengthened infection prevention controls in communities and healthcare settings.
Sources: Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
