Lassa Fever: Medical Academy Demands Urgent Action as Death Toll Hits 204

The Academy of Medical Sciences Nigeria has called for immediate and coordinated national action as Lassa fever cases and deaths continue to rise across the country.

In a statement issued on Monday, signed by its President, Prof. Obinna Onwujekwe, and the Chairman of its Rapid Response Committee, Emeritus Prof. Osato Giwa-Osagie, the Academy warned that the increasing mortality rate and sustained transmission of the disease demand swift intervention.

Citing data from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, the Academy reported that the country has recorded 5,034 suspected cases, 793 laboratory-confirmed infections, and 204 deaths as of Epidemiological Week 19, covering May 4 to 10, 2026.

The case fatality rate has risen to 25.7 per cent, a significant jump from the 19.4 per cent recorded during the same period in 2025. The Academy described this trend as troubling and a clear signal that prevention and control measures must be strengthened.

Confirmed cases have been reported in 23 states and 108 Local Government Areas, with Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Edo, and Benue accounting for more than 80 per cent of infections.

The Academy pointed to several factors driving the outbreak, including late presentation of patients, poor awareness and health-seeking behaviour, and inadequate infection prevention practices in healthcare settings. Environmental conditions that encourage rodent infestation, coupled with increased transmission risks during the dry season, are also sustaining the spread of the disease.

Concerns were also raised over continued infections among healthcare workers, which the Academy said points to gaps in infection prevention measures that must be urgently addressed.

The Academy called on the Federal Ministry of Health and state governments to strengthen disease surveillance systems, ensure early detection, and deploy rapid response teams to suspected case clusters. It also urged authorities to expand access to designated Lassa fever treatment centres and increase laboratory diagnostic capacity nationwide.

On healthcare worker safety, the Academy stressed the need for adequate supplies of personal protective equipment and strict adherence to infection prevention protocols in both public and private facilities. It further recommended that at least one referral treatment centre with barrier nursing and laboratory capacity be designated in each high-risk state.

The Academy advised Nigerians to adopt preventive measures such as proper food storage, environmental sanitation, and avoiding contact with rodents, which are the primary carriers of the virus. It also emphasised that individuals with persistent fever or symptoms suggestive of Lassa fever should seek immediate medical attention and avoid self-medication.

The Academy reaffirmed its readiness to collaborate with government, healthcare institutions, and development partners through scientific guidance, advocacy, and public education, concluding that early detection, prompt treatment, effective infection control, environmental sanitation, and sustained government commitment remain the most effective tools for reducing the burden of Lassa fever in Nigeria.