The Digest:
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has reported 165 confirmed Lassa fever cases and 31 deaths across nine states in the first five weeks of 2026, with nine health workers among those infected. According to the agency's situation report, 92 percent of confirmed cases came from five states: Bauchi (47%), Ondo (18%), Taraba (14%), Edo (8%), and Plateau (5%). Over 754 suspected cases were reported, with 135 currently managed at treatment centres. The predominant age group affected is 21-30 years, with a male-to-female ratio of 1:0.8. NCDC has activated its Incident Management System, conducted field missions to Bauchi, and advocated for dedicated budget lines for Lassa fever prevention and control. Lassa fever, endemic in Nigeria, is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness spread by infected mastomys rats.
Key Points:
- The high infection rate among health workers underscores critical occupational hazards and infection control gaps.
- It strains the healthcare system and increases risk of further transmission in treatment centres.
- Health workers face direct danger, while patients in affected states lose access to safe care.
- This signals urgent need for improved personal protective equipment and containment protocols.
- The timing, early in the year, requires immediate scale-up of prevention efforts.
NCDC has activated emergency response measures, but the infection of nine health workers highlights critical gaps in protecting frontline medical staff.
Sources: The Cable, NCDC Situation Report
