By Babs Oyetoro
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has raised fresh concerns over the growing toll of Lassa fever, reporting 1,035 confirmed infections and 252 deaths across the country, with the case fatality rate rising to 24.4 per cent.
The latest situation report showed that the disease had spread to 23 states and 117 local government areas, underscoring the continuing public health threat despite ongoing surveillance and response measures.
The NCDC said 14 new confirmed cases were recorded during epidemiological week 33, covering August 10 to August 16, with infections reported in Ondo, Bauchi, Edo and Benue states.
The new figure represents a sharp increase from the four cases recorded in week 32, when infections were reported only in Ondo and Edo states.
According to the agency, cumulative confirmed cases rose from 1,021 in week 32 to 1,035 in week 33, while deaths increased from 240 to 252 within the period.
The development pushed the case fatality rate from 23.5 per cent in week 32 to 24.4 per cent in week 33.
The latest fatality rate is also significantly higher than the 18.6 per cent recorded during the corresponding period in 2025.
“The 14 new cases represented an increase from four cases reported during epidemiological week 32, when cases were recorded in Ondo and Edo states,” the NCDC said.
The agency noted that the weekly pattern of infections had continued to fluctuate, pointing out that week 32 had recorded a decline from the 17 confirmed cases reported during epidemiological week 31.
However, the rising cumulative death toll and fatality rate remain a major concern as health authorities battle to strengthen early detection, treatment and public awareness in affected communities.
*NCDC: Fatality rate jumps to 24.4% as disease spreads across 23 states
The NCDC said the burden of the outbreak remained concentrated in a handful of states, with Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Benue and Edo accounting for the overwhelming majority of confirmed infections.
“By week 33, 23 states had reported at least one confirmed Lassa fever case across 117 local government areas,” the agency said.
It added: “Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Benue and Edo states accounted for 87 per cent of all confirmed cases recorded cumulatively by week 33.”
The agency said the five states had remained the epicentre of the outbreak, accounting for 86 per cent of confirmed infections recorded in week 32.
The concentration of cases in the affected states, it said, highlights the need for sustained surveillance and targeted interventions in high-burden communities.
The NCDC also identified young adults between the ages of 21 and 30 as the age group most affected by the disease during the reporting periods.
“People aged 21 to 30 years remain the predominant age group affected by Lassa fever during both reporting weeks,” the agency said.
The agency reported no new infections among healthcare workers in either week 32 or week 33, a development that could indicate improved adherence to infection prevention and control measures in health facilities.
Lassa fever is a viral haemorrhagic disease that remains endemic in parts of Nigeria, with periodic outbreaks posing significant risks to communities and health systems.
The disease can be severe and potentially fatal, particularly where patients present late for diagnosis and treatment.
The NCDC said it would continue surveillance and response activities across affected states as part of efforts to limit transmission and reduce deaths.
It stressed that Lassa fever remained a significant public health concern, particularly in communities reporting recurrent infections.
*23 dead, 143 suspected cases in Plateau diphtheria outbreak
A suspected diphtheria outbreak has claimed 23 lives in Plateau State within the past two weeks, as health authorities struggle to contain the disease amid shortages of antitoxin and essential materials needed to confirm cases.
The state has recorded 143 suspected infections so far, while nine patients are receiving treatment at the Jos University Teaching Hospital and the Plateau Specialist Hospital in Jos.
Plateau State Commissioner for Health, Dr Nicholas Baamlong, disclosed the figures in a telephone interview, saying the government had stepped up measures to prevent further spread of the highly infectious disease.
“So far, we have 143 suspected cases; we have had 23 deaths and nine currently on admission at the Jos University Teaching Hospital, JUTH, and the Plateau Specialist Hospital, Jos,” Baamlong said.
He said patients undergoing treatment had been isolated, while the state government was mobilising traditional rulers and other community leaders to intensify public awareness and prevention campaigns.
Baamlong, however, identified inadequate access to diphtheria antitoxin and the tendency of many patients to seek medical attention late as major obstacles to the response.
“The biggest challenge is getting antitoxin, and most of them are presenting late,” he said.
The commissioner explained that the infection could easily be transmitted through respiratory droplets and close physical contact, including coughing, sneezing and prolonged association with infected persons.
The state’s response has also been hampered by difficulties in confirming suspected infections, following a shortage of specialised containers required for collecting and transporting samples for laboratory analysis.
“We are having challenges with the diagnosis because the sample is supposed to be collected in a special container so that we can send it for confirmation, but we do not have such containers,” Baamlong said.
He said the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention had been informed of the situation, adding that Plateau was awaiting support to address the shortage of both antitoxin and diagnostic materials.
“The NCDC is aware, and we are hoping that they will assist us with the antitoxin and the special containers,” he said.
According to the commissioner, the government has activated a grassroots sensitisation campaign, relying on traditional institutions and other stakeholders to educate residents about the symptoms, transmission and prevention of the disease.
“We have so far activated awareness campaigns in communities through traditional rulers and other stakeholders to curtail the spread,” Baamlong said.
Diphtheria is a contagious bacterial infection that spreads mainly through respiratory droplets and close contact with infected persons and can lead to severe complications if treatment is delayed.
Health authorities have urged residents to seek medical help promptly when symptoms are noticed, stressing that early detection and treatment remain crucial to reducing complications and preventing further deaths.