Nigeria Lassa Fever Outbreak Worsens

Nigeria is currently experiencing one of its most severe Lassa fever outbreaks, with over 660 confirmed cases and 167 deaths recorded between January and mid-March 2026 across 22 states and 93 local government areas. The Nigeria — Nigeria Centre for Disease Control reported a case fatality rate of 25.2%, significantly higher than the previous year. An alarming aspect is the infection of at least 38 healthcare workers, with three doctors losing their lives. Nigeria — Lagos State, despite not being an endemic state, has issued a public health alert and launched a statewide awareness and prevention campaign due to its high population density and commercial hub status, which heighten the risk of rapid transmission. Akin Abayomi, the Commissioner for Health, emphasized the need for heightened vigilance and strict infection prevention protocols. The Nigeria — Nigeria Centre for Disease Control has activated a multi-partner Incident Management System and is collaborating with organizations like the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and Médecins Sans Frontières to intensify surveillance, contact tracing, and public awareness campaigns. Challenges include late presentation of cases, poor health-seeking behavior, high treatment costs, poor environmental sanitation, and low awareness levels. The outbreak is no longer strictly seasonal, with environmental changes and increased human-rodent interaction driving year-round transmission.