Nigeria is facing a rise in Lassa fever infections among healthcare workers as the annual outbreak season intensifies. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control says more than 15 medical personnel across several states have contracted the virus, with two fatalities reported as of the seventh epidemiological week. In the first five weeks of 2026, 31 deaths and over 754 suspected cases were recorded across nine states.
NCDC Director-General Dr Jide Idris has urged strict adherence to infection prevention and control measures, warning that lapses in clinical vigilance put frontline workers and patients at risk. The agency called on states to maintain functional isolation units, treatment centres, and clear referral pathways for suspected cases.
Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic disease transmitted mainly through contact with infected rodents or contaminated food and household items. Person-to-person transmission can occur in healthcare settings if protective measures are not properly applied. States with high numbers of cases this year include Ondo, Edo, Bauchi, Taraba, Ebonyi and Benue.
Also Read: Nigeria Records 924 Lassa Fever Cases, 172 Deaths Across 21 States
According to health experts, infections among medical personnel not only reduce manpower but also increase the risk of secondary transmission. They recommend regular training in infection control, robust triage and isolation systems, timely laboratory confirmation, adequate protective equipment, and stigma-free pathways for reporting symptoms and exposure.
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