The entire burden of tackling the disease should not be left with the federal government. Health is in the concurrent list in the Constitution. That gives the states the latitude to develop individual templates in going against some diseases or epidemics as Lassa Fever. For a system as Nigeria that claims to be the giant of Africa and the pride of the blacks in other parts of the globe, being associated with such insignificant health issue as Lassa Fever, is simply, ridiculous.
By Emeka Alex Duru
It has become the norm here that when you think that the worst is over, some embarrassing situations would crop up to prove you wrong. Things that ordinarily, should not matter, end up being issues that hold us down and actually define who we are on matters of private and public health concerns. This is the only way to explain the awkward Lassa fever epidemic that is ravaging some states in the country.
According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) the epidemic has spread across 18 states and 67 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the country, with 75 related deaths. The NCDC, in a statement by its Director General, Dr. Jide Idris, noted that as of Epidemiological Week 8, 2026, Nigeria has recorded a concerning number of Lassa fever cases and deaths. It disclosed that five states, Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Edo, and Benue accounted for over 80 percent of the confirmed cases, and of particular concern was the increase in infections among healthcare workers.
Taraba state recorded the highest number of deaths with 24 fatalities. Bauchi followed with 19 deaths, while Plateau recorded eight fatalities. Ondo, Edo and Benue states each reported five deaths within the same period. Ebonyi accounted for three deaths, while Nasarawa and Kogi recorded two deaths each. Kano and Kebbi states reported one death apiece. Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Edo and Benue accounted for more than 80 per cent of confirmed cases recorded during the 2026 peak transmission season.
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From whatever angle it is looked at, the figure is quite disturbing. It underscores the fear by the NCDC that the fatality rate is higher than the 19.7 per cent recorded during the same period in 2025. And you cannot take away the casual attitude of Nigerians to causative, preventive and curative factors in managing the disease, in explaining the wild spread.
The menace is particularly worrisome given the growing infections among healthcare workers, with 28 confirmed cases and three deaths reported so far, an indication that the development calls for strict adherence to Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) standards, heightened clinical suspicion, and early case identification across all health facilities. NCDC attributed the sustained transmission and rising fatalities to operational gaps at the state level, urging urgent action to strengthen outbreak response and control measures.
Lassa fever, according to experts, follows a predictable seasonal and geographic pattern in Nigeria. The high-burden states are known, peak months are well documented, and national clinical and IPC guidelines are also established. Current surveillance and field assessments indicate that transmission is occurring largely within known endemic areas. Unfortunately, despite these precautionary notes, the fatality rate so far recorded, is large.
NCDC identified operational gaps contributing to ongoing transmission and higher mortality to 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; 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; and management of cases in isolation centres that do not fully meet recommended standards. These findings underline the importance of sustained implementation of existing response frameworks.
It is good that the NCDC has pledged to continue providing comprehensive national support and coordination across the response spectrum to attain sustainable reduction in mortality and the prevention of healthcare worker infections. The alarm by the Centre and bold efforts at assisting the affected states epidemiologists and relevant facilities for treatment, are commendable. It is left for the state governments to key into the agenda of the Agency by prioritising infection prevention and control measures to reduce transmission, protect healthcare workers, and lower the mortality rate.
The states should ensure full activation and monitoring of the incident management systems in affected and high-risk areas; urgently approve and release outbreak preparedness and response funds to support surveillance activities, pillar coordination, mobility of field teams, laboratory operations, logistics, IPC, case management, community awareness campaign activities by actively engaging traditional, religious and community leaders to reinforce behaviour. Facilities used in tackling the COVID-19 epidemics should be activated in combating the disease. Resources donated by international organisations like the World Health Organisation (WHO), and individual bodies towards combating the Lassa Fever challenge should be used transparently.
Lassa fever is not death sentence; it is treatable, with improved outcomes when detected early. According to health officials, Lassa fever, also known as Lassa hemorrhagic fever, is a type of viral hemorrhagic fever caused by the Lassa virus. Many of those infected by the virus do not develop symptoms. When symptoms occur, they typically include fever, weakness, headaches, vomiting, and muscle pains. Less commonly, there may be bleeding from the mouth or gastrointestinal tract. The risk of death once infected is about one percent and frequently occurs within two weeks of the onset of symptoms. Of those who survive, about a quarter have hearing loss, which improves within three months in about half of these cases. The disease is usually initially spread to people via contact with the urine or feces of an infected multimammate rats. Other rodents can also act as carriers of the virus. Spread can then occur via direct contact between people. Diagnosis based on symptoms is difficult, except by laboratory testing.
Tackling the disease demands proactive actions by the government and the people. Maintaining a clean environment is a strategic step in preventing the spread. Affected individuals should visit health experts and not resort to self-medication. Government should embark on more sensitisation and campaigns to put the people on notice. Besides, funding activities towards the eradication of the disease should be prioritized.
The entire burden of tackling the disease should not be left with the federal government. Health is in the concurrent list in the Constitution. That gives the states the latitude to develop individual templates in going against some diseases or epidemics as Lassa Fever. For a system as Nigeria that claims to be the giant of Africa and the pride of the blacks in other parts of the globe, being associated with such insignificant health issue as Lassa Fever, is simply, ridiculous. Such embarrassing infections cannot equally help our case in the demand for a permanent seat in the United nations’ Security Council.
