An ecologist extracts a sample of blood from a Mastomys Natalensis rodent in the village of Jormu in southeastern Sierra Leone February 8, 2011. Lassa fever, named after the Nigerian town where it was first identified in 1969, is among a U.S. list of "category A" diseases -- deemed to have the potential for major public health impact -- alongside anthrax and botulism. The disease is carried by the Mastomys Natalensis rodent, found across sub-Saharan Africa and often eaten as a source of protein. It infects an estimated 300,000-500,000 people each year, and kills about 5,000. Picture taken February 8, 2011. To match Reuters-Feature BIOTERROR-AFRICA/ REUTERS/Simon Akam (SIERRA LEONE - Tags: HEALTH SOCIETY ANIMALS) - GM1E72F07HC01
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention(NCDC) says six healthcare workers were infected with Lassa fever in one week, raising fresh concerns about occupational exposure among frontline health personnel.
The NCDC disclosed this on Monday in its Lassa Fever Situation Report for Epidemiological Week 9, covering Feb. 23 to March 1.
According to the report, the infections occurred as the country continues to battle the viral haemorrhagic disease across several states.
The agency said that cumulatively, 37 healthcare workers had been infected with Lassa fever in 2026.
It said Nigeria recorded 65 confirmed cases of Lassa fever in the week, a slight decline from the 77 reported the previous week.
The report noted that the confirmed cases were recorded in Benue, Ondo, Bauchi, Taraba, Edo, Plateau and Nasarawa states.
The public health agency also said that 460 suspected cases were reported during the week under review, with nine deaths recorded among confirmed cases, representing a Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 13.9 per cent.
Cumulatively, the NCDC said Nigeria has recorded 2,446 suspected cases and 469 confirmed cases of Lassa fever in 2026, with 109 deaths reported so far.
It added that the overall case fatality rate stands at 23.2 per cent, which is higher than the 18.7 per cent recorded during the same period in 2025.
The agency said 18 states and 69 Local Government Areas have recorded at least one confirmed case this year.
According to the report, 86 per cent of confirmed infections were recorded in five states – Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Benue and Edo.
The NCDC attributed the increasing fatalities partly to late presentation of cases at health facilities, poor health-seeking behaviour and inadequate awareness in some high-burden communities.
The agency said it had activated a multi-partner Incident Management System to coordinate response efforts nationwide.
It also noted that response activities include active case search, contact tracing, the distribution of personal protective equipment to health facilities, and the deployment of rapid response teams to affected states.
The NCDC urged healthcare workers to maintain a high index of suspicion for Lassa fever and adhere strictly to infection prevention and control measures to reduce hospital-based transmission.
While many infections are mild or asymptomatic, the WHO say about 20 per cent can develop severe disease, presenting with fever, headache, vomiting, bleeding, and organ dysfunction.
