NCDC worries on Lassa Fever, meningitis deaths

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, NCDC , has raised serious concerns over the rising toll of Lassa fever and meningitis, which have together claimed 366 lives across 24 states so far this year.

The agency issued the latest update via its official website, calling for heightened public health vigilance and coordinated response efforts.

Between January 1 and May 18, NCDC confirmed 733 cases of Lassa fever from a pool of 5,118 suspected infections reported across 18 states and 95 local government areas.

In that same period, 141 people succumbed to the disease, reflecting a case fatality rate of 19.2%, slightly up from 18.3% in 2024.

NCDC revealed a concerning spike in week 20, with new Lassa fever cases rising from three to 13 in states such as Edo, Ondo, and Benue. The agency warned that “one in five infected individuals is dying despite coordinated national efforts.”

Hotspot states for Lassa fever remain Ondo (30%), Bauchi (25%), and Edo (17%)—together accounting for nearly 72% of confirmed cases. The disease appears to affect young adults aged 21 to 30 the most, with an almost equal gender distribution. While no new infections among healthcare workers were reported in the past week, the NCDC highlighted the urgency for continued vigilance and rapid containment.

To manage the outbreak, a multi-sectoral Incident Management System has been activated to oversee national response efforts.

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Meanwhile, the situation with meningitis is even more severe. From 2,911 suspected cases, the NCDC has confirmed 192 infections and reported 225 deaths, putting the fatality rate at 7.7%. The disease is primarily impacting children aged five to 14, with males representing 60% of recorded infections.

The outbreak has spread to 173 LGAs in 24 states, with 10 northern states—including Kebbi, Katsina, Sokoto, and Jigawa—accounting for 97% of all suspected meningitis cases.

In response to the dual crisis, the NCDC has activated a national Emergency Operations Centre and is working in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, and international development partners.

Efforts include regular high-level meetings with affected states, deployment of technical support teams, and reinforcement of outbreak preparedness strategies nationwide.

Lassa fever, a viral hemorrhagic illness, is transmitted primarily through contact with urine or feces of infected rats, but it can also spread from human to human via bodily fluids or contaminated medical equipment. Symptoms include fever, vomiting, sore throat, muscle pain, and bleeding, especially in severe cases.

The NCDC emphasized that its focus remains on saving lives and minimizing the spread of these deadly infections as the country navigates the ongoing health emergency.

NAN