The Lagos State Government has issued a red alert to residents following a worrying surge in Lassa fever cases across Nigeria, even though Lagos is not classified as an endemic state.
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The Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, raised the alarm while disclosing alarming national figures for the first quarter of 2026.
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According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), more than 660 confirmed infections and 167 deaths were recorded nationwide between January and mid-March 2026.
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The outbreak has spread to 22 states and 93 Local Government Areas, with a case fatality rate of approximately 25.2%, significantly higher than the same period in 2025.
“Although Lagos is not classified as an endemic state, its large and densely populated environment increases the risk of rapid spread,” Prof. Abayomi warned.
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He expressed particular concern over the infection of 38 medical personnel, including three fatalities, describing the development as “alarming” and calling for stricter adherence to infection prevention protocols.
Lassa fever is a highly infectious zoonotic disease primarily transmitted through contact with infected rodents (multimammate rats) or their droppings, and it can also spread from person to person through bodily fluids.
Prof. Abayomi noted that about 70% of infections are mild or asymptomatic but can still be transmitted, while roughly one in five symptomatic patients may develop severe complications, especially when diagnosis and treatment are delayed.
The Commissioner urged residents to remain cautious and prioritise early detection and preventive practices to limit transmission.
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“Early detection and preventive practices are crucial in limiting transmission,” he stressed.
He also called for closer collaboration with national health authorities to effectively curb the spread of the disease.
