Lassa fever may be a seasonal pandemic in Nigeria, but one thing that has become of immense concern this year according to experts, is that the disease continues to reappear year after year coupled with the fact that frontline health workers, Nigeria’s first line of defence, are increasingly being exposed to risk. In this Cover Story, PharmaTimes Editor, MORGAN NWANGUMA writes that so far in 2026, 22 States have recorded at least one confirmed case across 91 Local Government Areas. Eighty-four (84%) of all confirmed Lassa fever cases were reported from 5 states (Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Benue and Edo) while fifteen (16%) were reported from 17 states with confirmed Lassa fever cases.
According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), not less than 39 healthcare workers across several states had contracted Lassa fever as of Epidemiological Week Twelve. Overall, the disease has claimed at least 160 lives of the 637 confirmed cases – within the first twelve weeks of the year alone, while more than 3,564 suspected cases were reported cumulatively across the federation.
State of contagion
Taraba appears to be the worst-affected state, with 41 deaths recorded, according to the Federal Medical Centre, Jalingo. In Ondo and Bauchi, authorities have also confirmed heavy losses, with the states epidemiologists reporting that 33 and 29 deaths respectively have been confirmed in the states.
According to the NCDC, of particular concern is the increase in infections among healthcare workers including doctors, with not less than 39 confirmed infections and not less than 15 deaths recorded so far this season.
Lassa fever follows a predictable seasonal and geographic pattern in Nigeria. High-burden states are known, peak months are well documented, and national clinical and Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) guidelines are established.
NCDC Situation Reports as of the moment – being Week 12, states the following outcomes: In week 12, the number of new confirmed cases decreased from 66 in Epi week 11 to 51. These were reported in Ondo, Bauchi, Ebonyi, Edo, Taraba, Plateau, Benue, Kogi, Enugu, Katsina, FCT and Gombe States.
• Cumulatively as at week 12 2026, 160 deaths have been reported with a Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 25.1% which is higher than the CFR for the same period in 2025 (18.4%). • In total for 2026, 22 States have recorded at least one confirmed case across 91 Local Government Areas (Figures 2 and 3).
• Eighty-four (84%) of all confirmed Lassa fever cases were reported from 5 states (Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Benue and Edo) while (16%) sixteen were reported from 17 states with confirmed Lassa fever cases. Of the 84% confirmed cases, Bauchi reported 28%, Ondo 22%, Taraba 18%, Benue 8% and Edo 8%.
• The predominant age group affected is 21-30 years (Range: 1 to 90 years, Median Age: 30 years). The male-to-female ratio for confirmed cases is 1:0.8 (Figure 4).
• The number of suspected cases increased while confirmed cases slightly decreased compared to that reported for the same period in 2025.
• One new healthcare worker was affected in the reporting week 12.
• National Lassa fever multi-partner, multi-sectoral Incident Management System (IMS) activated to support the coordination of response activities at all levels.
Current surveillance and field assessments indicate that transmission is occurring largely within known endemic areas. However, investigations this season have highlighted operational gaps that are contributing to ongoing transmission and higher mortality. These include:
• Infections occurring in general outpatient and maternity settings of health facilities
• Suboptimal adherence to IPC protocols
• Inadequate pre-positioning of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Delayed patient presentation, sometimes linked to financial barriers
• Inconsistent activation or monitoring of State Incident Management Systems
• Gaps in contact tracing and active case search in some LGAs
• Persistent stigma and misconceptions affecting early care-seeking
• Management of cases in isolation centres that do not fully meet recommended standards
These findings underscore the importance of sustained implementation of existing response frameworks. Under Nigeria’s federal structure, outbreak response implementation and health service delivery standards are primarily the responsibility of state governments. However, NCDC continues to provide comprehensive national support and coordination across the response spectrum.
Interventions
The government through the NCDC is actively responding to a surge in Lassa fever cases during the 2026 peak season (November–April), characterized by a high Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of over 25%. The government is implementing a multi-sectoral approach focused on surveillance, treatment, and community engagement, primarily targeting high-burden states such as Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Benue, and Edo. Specific intervention measures include the followings:
Activation of Incident Management System: The NCDC has activated a National Lassa Fever multi-partner, multi-sectoral Incident Management System (IMS) to coordinate the response at national and state levels.
Deployment of Response Teams: Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) have been deployed to high-burden states to support local health teams with investigation, surveillance, and case management.
Strengthening State-Level Response: The NCDC is urging state governments to activate their own Incident Management Systems, release outbreak preparedness funds, and enforce Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) protocols in both public and private hospitals.
Distribution of Medical Supplies: The government is distributing personal protective equipment (PPE), Ribavirin (the antiviral drug for Lassa fever), body bags, and diagnostic materials to affected states and treatment centres.
Enhanced Surveillance and Diagnostics: The NCDC is strengthening laboratory capacity to ensure prompt diagnosis, as early treatment significantly improves survival rates.
Targeted Public Awareness: The government is conducting public awareness campaigns to educate citizens on environmental sanitation (keeping surroundings free of rats), safe food storage, and the need to avoid self-medication.
Healthcare Worker Protection: Given the high number of infections among health staff reported, the government is emphasizing strict adherence to IPC protocols and conducting training on clinical suspicion.
Advisory from NCDC
NCDC advises members of the public to take the following precautions to reduce the risk of Lassa fever:
• Always keep your environment clean, especially homes, markets, and dump sites, to reduce breeding grounds for rats.
• Block all holes in your house to prevent the entry of rats and other rodents.
• Cover your dustbins and dispose of refuse or waste properly. Communities should set up dump sites far from their homes to reduce the chances of rodent entry.
• Safely store food items such as rice, garri, beans, and maize in tightly sealed or well covered containers.
• Avoid drying foodstuffs outside on the ground or roadside, where it is at risk of contamination.
• Discourage bush burning and deforestation, as these activities destroy rodents’ habitats, driving them closer to human residences.
• Eliminate rats in homes and communities by setting rat traps or using other appropriate and safe means.
• Practice good personal and hand hygiene by frequently washing hands with soap under running water or using hand sanitizers when necessary.
• Avoid overcrowded living areas, as overcrowding leads to poor sanitation.
• Avoid self-medication. Seek proper diagnosis and early treatment from a health facility.
• Visit the nearest health facility if you notice any signs and symptoms associated with Lassa fever or call the State Ministry of Health hotline or 6232 (NCDC). Early identification and treatment save lives.
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