Nine health workers infected as NCDC reports 165 Lassa fever cases in five weeks

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) says 31 persons have died from Lassa fever in five weeks.

According to the agency’s Lassa fever situation report, there were over 754 suspected cases reported, out of which 165 were confirmed.

The report said nine health workers were among those infected.

“In total for 2026, nine states have recorded at least one confirmed case across 33 local government areas,” the report reads.

“Ninety-two (92%) of all confirmed Lassa fever cases were reported from 5 states (Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Edo and Plateau) while eight (8%) were reported from 4 states with confirmed Lassa fever cases. Of the 92% confirmed cases, Bauchi reported 47%, Ondo 18%, Taraba 14%, Edo 8% and Plateau 5%.

“The predominant age group affected is 21-30 years (Range: 1 to 74 years, Median Age: 28 years). The male-to-female ratio for confirmed cases is 1:0.8 (Figure 4).

“The number of suspected and confirmed cases decreased compared to that reported for the same period in 2025.”

The NCDC said 135 cases were currently being managed at treatment centres, with at least 110 suspected cases undergoing contact tracing and follow-ups.

On its response efforts, the NCDC noted that it had conducted a “high-level field mission to Bauchi State; activated the Incident Management System of the National Lassa Fever Emergency Operations Centre; analysed samples across the laboratory network to guide prompt diagnosis and treatment; and advocated for a budget line to support field activities for Lassa fever prevention and control”.

Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness caused by the Lassa virus, a member of the arenavirus family. It is an animal-borne, acute viral illness spread by the common African rat, also known as the mastomys rat species. It is endemic in Nigeria and other parts of West Africa.

Humans usually become infected through exposure to food or household items contaminated with the urine or faeces of infected mastomys rats.