Lagos raises Lassa Fever alarm, launches Statewide Campaign

The Lagos State Government has issued a red alert over rising Lassa fever cases nationwide, commencing a statewide awareness and prevention campaign.

Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, said Nigeria recorded over 660 confirmed cases and 167 deaths between January and mid-March 2026, with infections reported across 22 states and 93 LGAs.

He warned that infections among healthcare workers-38 cases, including three deaths, signal a dangerous trend requiring stricter infection control and rapid response.

Abayomi described Lassa fever as a highly contagious zoonotic disease transmitted from rodents and through human contact, noting Lagos’ dense population heightens transmission risks despite its non-endemic status.

The state, he said, has activated preparedness measures including a 24-hour Emergency Operations Centre, enhanced surveillance and healthcare worker training.

He urged residents to remain vigilant, stressing early detection and prevention as critical to containing potential outbreaks.

He noted that emerging patterns indicate the disease is no longer strictly seasonal, with increasing year-round transmission linked to environmental changes and closer human contact with rodent carriers.

According to him, about 70 per cent of infections are mild or asymptomatic but remain infectious, raising the risk of silent spread, particularly in densely populated urban centres.

He added that one in five symptomatic cases could develop severe complications, especially when diagnosis and treatment are delayed.

Abayomi said the campaign will focus on public education, improved case management and strengthened collaboration with national health authorities to curb transmission.