Nigeria is grappling with a surge in Lassa fever cases, with recent outbreaks in Edo and Plateau states leading to multiple fatalities.
In Edo State, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole, announced six deaths and 28 confirmed cases during a briefing in Benin City on February 10, 2026.
The figures highlight the disease’s rapid spread in the region, contributing to the national tally of 93 confirmed infections and 17 deaths across nine states in the first three weeks of 2026.
In Plateau State, Commissioner for Health Dr. Baamlong confirmed two deaths in Kanam and Shendam Local Government Areas, part of 11 confirmed cases and four fatalities overall.
Tragically, a medical doctor, Dr. Salome Oboyi, a senior registrar at Bingham University Teaching Hospital in Jos, succumbed to the virus after contracting it while treating a patient.
This incident underscores the risks faced by healthcare workers, with four infections reported among them nationwide this year.
“The outbreaks align with the dry season peak, following similar Lassa fever incidents in Benue and Jigawa.”
The outbreaks align with the dry season peak, when rodents—the primary carriers—invade homes, contaminating food and spreading the virus through urine or feces.
Officials in both states have activated rapid response teams, enhanced surveillance, and launched awareness campaigns to promote hygiene and rodent control.
Residents are advised to store food securely, avoid bush burning, and seek immediate medical attention for symptoms like fever, weakness, and bleeding.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported cases in states including Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Ebonyi, and Benue, with a case fatality rate of 18.1 percent.
Health experts urge early detection and treatment to reduce mortality, as Lassa fever can be managed with antiviral drugs if caught promptly.
These developments emphasize the need for sustained public health measures to curb the annual Lassa fever threat in Nigeria. Health threats extend to preventive measures, such as the FG’s free cancer screening in Ebonyi.