Nine healthcare workers infected as NCDC struggles with late hospital visits, poor sanitation, and limited resources in annual dry season surge
Nigeria's annual battle against Lassa fever has taken a deadly turn in the first five weeks of 2026, with official figures showing 31 confirmed deaths and 754 suspected cases across 33 local government areas in nine states.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) data reveals that nine healthcare workers have already been infected while treating patients—a stark reminder of the occupational hazards facing frontline medical personnel.
Geography of Death
The outbreak is heavily concentrated in five states that account for a staggering 92 percent of all confirmed cases. Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Edo, and Plateau have emerged as the epicenters of the crisis, with four additional states reporting smaller clusters.
Bauchi has been particularly hard hit. Health officials report that the state currently accounts for 46 percent of all confirmed infections, with 43 cases and eight deaths recorded in recent weeks . A high-level NCDC field mission has been dispatched to the state to bolster response efforts.
Taraba is experiencing what health authorities describe as the most widespread Lassa fever outbreak in 14 years. At least 15 people have died, with 49 confirmed infections across multiple local government areas. The Federal Medical Centre Jalingo is currently treating 45 patients, while 20 others have recovered and been discharged .
Dr. Suleiman Kirim, Acting Head of Clinical Services at the facility, identified a troubling pattern: patients are arriving too late. "The late arrival of patients reduces their chances of survival. Early detection and prompt treatment remain key to managing Lassa fever effectively," he told journalists .
Benue State has officially declared an outbreak, with 58 cases reported and four confirmed deaths. The situation there carries an additional human toll: four healthcare workers—three nurses and one community health worker—have contracted the disease while on duty . State Commissioner for Health Dr. Paul Ogwuche mourned the loss of a Benue-born doctor who died from Lassa fever while working in Jos, Plateau State .
The Numbers Behind the Crisis
The NCDC's epidemiological report paints a grim picture. Currently, 135 confirmed cases are being managed at treatment centers, with at least 110 suspected cases undergoing contact tracing and follow-up surveillance.
The case fatality rate stands at 18.1 percent—slightly lower than the 18.2 percent recorded during the same period in 2025, but still alarmingly high for a preventable disease .
The age group most affected ranges from 21 to 30 years, with a median age of 27.5. The male-to-female ratio among confirmed cases is 1:0.6 .
Why Lassa Fever Surges Now
Lassa fever is endemic in Nigeria, but cases typically spike during the dry season from November to May. The reason is ecological: the multimammate rat (Mastomys natalensis)—the primary carrier of the Lassa virus—is driven indoors during dry months in search of food and shelter .
"During dry season, some animals and especially rodents in search of food, shelter from extreme environmental conditions and those escaping from predatory animals like snakes are driven indoors and thereby raise the risk of transmission of the virus to humans who may come in contact with their faeces and urine," explained public health expert Dr. Julius Nwaeri .
The virus spreads when humans contact food or household items contaminated with rodent excreta. Person-to-person transmission can also occur, particularly in healthcare settings lacking adequate infection prevention measures.
Health Workers at Risk
The infection of nine healthcare workers has raised particular alarm. In Benue, three nurses and a community health worker are among the confirmed cases, highlighting gaps in infection control practices within health facilities .
Dr. Philip Aboki, Head of Pediatrics at Federal Medical Centre Jalingo, called on parents to remain vigilant, noting that children are also at risk. He urged families to promptly report symptoms such as persistent fever, weakness, sore throat, vomiting, and unexplained bleeding .
Response Efforts Underway
The NCDC has activated its Incident Management System and the National Lassa Fever Emergency Operations Centre. Laboratory samples are being analyzed across the network to guide prompt diagnosis and treatment.
The agency is also advocating for a dedicated budget line to support field activities for Lassa fever prevention and control—a recognition that chronic underfunding has hampered previous response efforts.
In Benue, the World Health Organization has trained 91 health workers and community volunteers to engage households, answer questions, and deliver prevention messages. The campaign has reached more than 100,000 people using locally adapted materials .
Why the Outbreak Persists
Health experts point to recurring challenges that allow the disease to thrive. Late hospital visits, poor health-seeking behavior, and environmental sanitation issues continue to undermine control efforts .
Virologist Oyewale Tomori offered a blunt assessment: "The numbers of suspected Lassa fever cases reported increase annually; we try to prevent cases but do not adequately address the social, cultural, economic and governance factors contributing to the spread and maintenance of the disease" .
Dr. Eniola Erinosho identified inadequate food storage facilities as a key driver. "Lassa fever will remain endemic until we get our agricultural system right," she said.
No Vaccine, Only Prevention
Currently, there is no licensed vaccine against Lassa fever. Control relies entirely on prevention: community hygiene, rodent control, early detection, supportive care, and antiviral treatment with Ribavirin for selected patients .
The WHO estimates that 300,000 to 500,000 cases and 5,000 related deaths occur annually across West Africa. Nigeria reported the largest ever outbreak in 2018, with over 600 confirmed cases and more than 170 deaths .
What Nigerians Should Do
Health authorities recommend practical measures to reduce risk:
- Store food in sealed, rodent-proof containers
- Keep homes and surroundings clean to deter rodents
- Avoid eating bush meat, which may expose individuals to infected animals
- Seek immediate medical care when symptoms appear
- Health workers should observe strict infection prevention protocols
The NCDC also advises Nigerians to observe good hygiene practices and promptly report suspected cases to health authorities .
For now, the numbers continue to climb. With nine states now affected and the dry season only halfway through, health officials warn that the worst may still be ahead.
*If you suspect Lassa fever in your community, contact your state Ministry of Health or the NCDC through its toll-free line. Early treatment saves lives.*
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