Nigeria is beginning to see a slowdown in new Lassa fever infections, but a worrying increase in the disease’s fatality rate is raising fresh concerns among health authorities as the country continues to battle the outbreak.
Recent figures from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) indicate that while weekly confirmed cases are no longer rising sharply, transmission remains active. The number of new infections has shown signs of stabilising compared with the surge recorded earlier in the year, particularly during the peak dry-season months of January and February.
However, this apparent progress has been overshadowed by a significant rise in the proportion of deaths among confirmed cases. Since the start of 2026, the case fatality rate (CFR) has climbed above 20%, noticeably higher than levels recorded during the same period last year. The trend suggests that although fewer people may be getting infected overall, those who do contract the virus are increasingly at risk of dying.
The outbreak has affected multiple states across the country, with the highest concentration of cases reported in parts of southern and central Nigeria, as well as in some northern regions. Health officials say the disease continues to follow its seasonal pattern, typically peaking during the dry season when contact between humans and infected rodents becomes more frequent.
Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness transmitted primarily through exposure to food or household items contaminated by the urine or droppings of infected rodents, particularly the multimammate rat. While many infections are mild or go undetected, severe cases can lead to internal bleeding, organ failure and death if not treated promptly.
Experts attribute the rising fatality rate to a combination of factors, including delayed presentation of patients at healthcare facilities, limited access to early diagnostic testing, and gaps in infection prevention and control. In many cases, patients arrive at hospitals only after symptoms have worsened, reducing the effectiveness of treatment.
There are also concerns about the strain on healthcare systems in high-burden areas. Some treatment centres continue to face shortages of resources, while infections among healthcare workers highlight ongoing risks within clinical settings. These challenges have complicated efforts to contain the outbreak and improve survival rates.
Early treatment remains critical. Antiviral medication such as ribavirin can significantly reduce the risk of death if administered in the early stages of the illness. However, late diagnosis and low awareness in affected communities often delay access to life-saving care.
Public health officials are calling for intensified surveillance, stronger state-level response efforts, and increased public awareness to encourage early reporting of symptoms such as fever, weakness, and unexplained bleeding. Preventive measures — including safe food storage, improved sanitation, and reducing contact with rodents — are also being emphasised.
As Nigeria moves through the latter part of the peak transmission season, the contrasting trends of declining infections and rising deaths present a complex challenge. Health authorities warn that without urgent action to improve early detection and treatment, the outbreak could remain not only persistent but increasingly deadly.
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