Nigeria’s Lassa fever outbreak is continuing to claim lives, with the death toll rising to 252 and 1,035 confirmed cases recorded across 23 states and 117 local government areas.
The latest figures released by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) show that the case fatality rate has climbed to 24.4 per cent, up from 23.5 per cent recorded the previous week.
According to the agency’s epidemiological week 33 report, covering August 10 to August 16, Nigeria recorded 14 new confirmed cases in four states — Ondo, Bauchi, Edo and Benue.
The figure marks a significant rise from the four cases reported in epidemiological week 32, when infections were recorded in only Ondo and Edo states.
The increase also pushed the cumulative number of confirmed infections from 1,021 in week 32 to 1,035 in week 33, while deaths rose from 240 to 252.
The current fatality rate is notably higher than the 18.6 per cent recorded during the corresponding period in 2025, raising concerns over the severity of the outbreak and delays in accessing treatment.
The NCDC said the number of weekly infections had continued to fluctuate, noting that the four cases recorded in week 32 represented a decline from the 17 confirmed infections reported in week 31.
Despite the fluctuations, the agency said the overall burden remained concentrated in five states — Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Benue and Edo.
Together, the five states accounted for 87 per cent of all confirmed Lassa fever cases recorded by week 33, making them the major hotspots of the outbreak.
“By week 33, 23 states had reported at least one confirmed Lassa fever case across 117 local government areas,” the NCDC said.
The agency also identified people aged 21 to 30 years as the age group most affected during the two reporting weeks.
Meanwhile, there were no newly reported Lassa fever infections among healthcare workers in either week 32 or week 33, a development the agency said could reflect improved compliance with infection prevention and control measures.
Lassa fever is a viral haemorrhagic disease endemic in parts of Nigeria. While some infections may be mild, severe cases can become life-threatening, particularly when diagnosis and treatment are delayed.
The NCDC said it would sustain surveillance and response operations in affected states while intensifying efforts to detect cases early, limit transmission and reduce fatalities.
Plateau Records 23 Suspected Diphtheria Deaths
As Nigeria continues to battle infectious diseases, Plateau State is also facing a suspected diphtheria outbreak that has claimed 23 lives in the past two weeks.
The state has recorded 143 suspected cases, with nine patients currently receiving treatment at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) and the Plateau Specialist Hospital in Jos.
Plateau State Commissioner for Health, Dr Nicholas Baamlong, disclosed the figures, saying the government had activated measures to contain the spread and prevent further deaths.
“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 receiving treatment had been isolated, while the government was working with traditional rulers and other community leaders to increase public awareness about the disease.
However, the commissioner identified shortages of diphtheria antitoxin and delays in seeking medical attention as major challenges confronting the response.
“The biggest challenge is getting antitoxin, and most of them are presenting late,” he said.
Baamlong further disclosed that the state was experiencing difficulties confirming suspected cases because it lacked the specialised containers required to collect and transport samples for laboratory testing.
“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,” he said.
According to him, the NCDC has been notified of the situation and the state is expecting assistance with antitoxin and diagnostic materials.
Beyond medical intervention, the state government has begun grassroots sensitisation campaigns through traditional institutions and other stakeholders to educate residents on the symptoms, transmission and prevention of diphtheria.
Diphtheria is a highly contagious bacterial infection that can spread through respiratory droplets and close contact with infected individuals. Without timely treatment, it can cause serious complications and death.
Health authorities have therefore urged residents to seek medical attention as soon as symptoms appear, stressing that early diagnosis and treatment remain critical to preventing severe complications and further loss of lives.
Post A Comment: