The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has raised the alarm over a surge in Lassa fever cases across 18 states and 67 local government areas (LGAs), warning that weaknesses in state-level response are fuelling sustained transmission and rising fatalities.

Director-General of the NCDC, Jide Idris, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to Idris, five states — Bauchi State, Ondo State, Taraba State, Edo State and Benue State — account for over 80 per cent of confirmed cases recorded during the 2026 peak transmission season.

He described as particularly troubling the increasing number of infections among healthcare workers, noting that 28 cases and three deaths have been recorded among health personnel so far this season.

Idris explained that investigations show most infections are occurring in known endemic areas, but poor implementation of established outbreak response frameworks has contributed to continued spread and a high case fatality rate.

Key gaps identified include infections occurring in general outpatient and maternity settings, weak adherence to Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) measures, and inadequate pre-positioning of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

He added that delayed presentation of patients due to financial constraints, inconsistent activation of State Incident Management Systems, weak contact tracing, persistent stigma, and substandard isolation centres are further worsening transmission.

The NCDC boss stressed that outbreak response and health service delivery fall largely under the responsibility of state governments within Nigeria’s federal system, urging states to improve accountability, coordination and funding.

He called on affected and high-risk states to immediately activate and closely monitor their Incident Management Systems to ensure rapid and effective response at all levels of healthcare delivery.

Idris also urged the prompt release of response funds, strict enforcement of IPC compliance in both public and private health facilities, and continuous availability of PPE and other essential supplies.

He further advocated accelerated financial protection mechanisms to reduce late presentation and fatalities, as well as sustained rodent control and environmental sanitation efforts under a One Health approach.

Healthcare workers were advised to maintain a high index of suspicion and strictly observe IPC protocols, while members of the public were urged to keep their environments clean, prevent rodent access to homes, store food safely and seek early medical care when symptoms occur.

Idris noted that Lassa fever is treatable, especially when detected early, adding that Nigeria is also responding to other epidemic-prone diseases such as Cerebrospinal Meningitis, Diphtheria, Mpox and Cholera.

He reiterated the NCDC’s toll-free emergency line, 6232, for reporting suspected cases and obtaining further information.