NCDC Activates Nationwide Emergency Response to Tackle Lassa Fever Outbreak
By Onwe Wisdom, Pan Afric Reporters
Abuja, February 20, 2026 — The Nigeria Centre for Diesase Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed 70 deaths from Lassa fever within the first seven weeks of 2026, as the agency intensifies its national response to contain the outbreak across affected states.
Providing an update at a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday, the Director-General of NCDC, Dr. Jide Idris disclosed that between December 29, 2025 and February 15, 2026 (Epidemiological Weeks 1–7), Nigeria recorded 1,469 suspected cases of Lassa fever, out of which 318 were confirmed.
According to the agency, the outbreak has resulted in 70 deaths among confirmed cases, representing a Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 22 percent. Fifteen healthcare workers have also been infected in the line of duty.
The NCDC noted that five states account for 91 percent of confirmed cases, while 10 Local Government Areas (LGAs) contribute 68 percent of the total infections, indicating a significant geographic concentration of the outbreak.
Lassa fever, which remains endemic in Nigeria, typically peaks during the dry season between November and May. The current trend, the agency said, aligns with established seasonal patterns.
To curb the spread, the NCDC has activated its Incident Management System (IMS) to coordinate the national response and guide state-level interventions through the National Lassa Fever Emergency Operations Centre (EOC).
National Rapid Response Teams have been deployed to eight states of Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Edo, Plateau, Benue, and Jigawa with further deployments planned as required.
The agency has also distributed treatment medicines, laboratory consumables, dialysis support materials, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including gloves, face masks, gowns, and sanitizers across treatment centres nationwide.
Laboratory testing commodities have been supplied throughout the national laboratory network to boost early diagnosis, while targeted risk communication campaigns including jingles in local languages, social media engagement, and community awareness drives are ongoing.
Dr. Idris emphasized that protecting healthcare workers remains a top priority, noting that investigations are ongoing to determine the drivers of infections among medical personnel.
Formal advisories have been issued to Commissioners of Health nationwide, outlining key actions required to strengthen infection prevention and control (IPC) measures in health facilities. Additional guidance has also been published to support frontline workers.
The NCDC further addressed a recent rumour of a Lassa fever outbreak at the NYSC camp in Keats Staye, clarifying that its risk communication team worked closely with state authorities to investigate and debunk misinformation, maintaining public confidence.
Despite ongoing efforts, the agency acknowledged significant challenges, including gaps in contact tracing, limited funding for awareness campaigns in some states, and rising infections among healthcare workers due to lapses in infection prevention practices and delayed care-seeking.
Other concerns include under-utilisation of dialysis machines provided by NCDC due to high service fees, infrastructure limitations at some treatment centres, security constraints affecting response teams in hard-to-reach areas, and persistent misconceptions and stigma surrounding the disease.
State-level resource gaps have also impacted the consistent availability of PPE and effective enforcement of safe burial protocols at some designated treatment facilities.
The NCDC stressed that outbreak containment begins at the community level and requires strong state ownership.
It urged states to intensify active case searches and contact tracing, scale up community risk communication, reduce treatment cost barriers, enforce IPC measures in all health facilities, and strengthen coordination among response teams.
While describing Lassa fever as serious, the NCDC assured Nigerians that the disease is preventable and treatable when detected early.
The agency advised citizens to store food in rodent-proof containers, maintain clean environments, block entry points to prevent rodents from entering homes, avoid drying food on bare ground or roadsides, and seek immediate medical care for persistent fever that does not respond to malaria treatment within 48 hours.
For verified information, members of the public can call the NCDC toll-free line 6232, visit the agency’s official website, or follow its verified social media platforms.
“The national response remains fully activated. There is no cause for panic,” Dr. Idris assured.
