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Nigeria recorded 37 new confirmed cases and eight deaths from Lassa fever in epidemiological weeks 29 and 30, taking the cumulative number of confirmed cases in 2026 to 1,000 and fatalities to 237 across 23 States and 116 Local Government Areas (LGAs).

The figures, covering July 13 to 26, 2026, also show a rise in the cumulative case fatality rate (CFR) from 23.5 percent at the end of week 29 to 23.7 percent in week 30, both higher than the corresponding figures recorded in 2025.

In epidemiological week 29, covering July 13 to 19, Nigeria recorded 20 new confirmed cases and two deaths, bringing the cumulative number of confirmed cases to 983 and fatalities to 231.

The CFR stood at 23.5 percent, compared with 18.9 percent recorded during the corresponding period in 2025.

By the end of week 29, the outbreak had spread to 23 States and 114 LGAs, with five States of Ondo, Bauchi, Taraba, Edo and Benue accounting for 86 percent of all confirmed cases.

Ondo recorded the highest proportion of cases at 32 percent, followed by Bauchi at 25 percent, Taraba at 13 percent, Edo at 10 percent and Benue at six percent.

The remaining 14 percent of cases were distributed across 18 other States.

The 21–30 age group remained the most affected, with the median age of confirmed cases standing at 30 years.

Cases were recorded among people aged between one and 93 years, while the male-to-female ratio was 1:0.9.

No new infection among healthcare workers was recorded during week 29.

The situation recorded a further increase in week 30, covering July 20 to 26, when 17 new confirmed cases and six deaths were reported.

The additional cases and deaths pushed the cumulative figures to 1,000 confirmed cases and 237 deaths, while the number of affected LGAs increased from 114 to 116.

The cumulative CFR also rose to 23.7 percent, compared with 18.8 percent during the corresponding period in 2025.

The geographical distribution of the outbreak, as indicated by the report, remained unchanged, with Ondo, Bauchi, Taraba, Edo and Benue still accounting for 86 percent of confirmed cases, at 32 percent, 25 percent, 13 percent, 10 percent and six percent respectively.

Young adults aged 21 to 30 years continued to constitute the most affected age group, with the median age remaining at 30 years.

Unlike the preceding week, the report showed that one new infection among a healthcare worker was recorded in week 30, highlighting the continuing risk of occupational exposure to the disease.

NCDC assured that the National Lassa Fever multisectoral, multi-partner Technical Working Group will continue to coordinate the national response, including surveillance, containment, environmental sanitation campaigns and healthcare logistics.

The agency urged preventive measures aimed at reducing exposure to Mastomys rodents, the primary reservoir of Lassa fever, as well as preventing human-to-human transmission.

Residents were advised to maintain clean surroundings, dispose of refuse properly, eliminate conditions that attract rodents and store food in rodent-proof containers.

They were also advised to seal openings through which rodents can enter homes and avoid handling or consuming wild rodents.

According to the agency, for suspected cases, early detection, immediate isolation and appropriate use of personal protective equipment by healthcare workers and caregivers remain critical to limiting further transmission.

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The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has commended Governor Dapo Abiodun for approving and commencing the payment of the professional allowance table (PAT) and specialist allowance for medical doctors.

The state Chairman, Luqman Ogunjimi, stated this at a news conference heralding the 2026 Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference of the association in Abeokuta on Thursday.

Mr Ogunjimi described the approval as a demonstration of Mr Abiodun’s commitment to improving doctors’ welfare and strengthening healthcare delivery in the state.

He said the implementation of the professional allowance table followed the approved federal government structure, while the specialist allowance took effect from July.

According to him, the development will boost the morale of medical practitioners and enhance the delivery of quality healthcare services to residents of the state.

He expressed appreciation to Mr Abiodun for what he described as responsive and worker-friendly leadership in addressing the welfare of medical doctors.

He reaffirmed the association’s commitment to sustaining a cordial working relationship with the government in addressing other welfare issues and advancing healthcare services across the state.

He, however, raised fresh concerns over the shortage of medical doctors in the state.

He said only about 1,200 doctors were currently serving an estimated population of nine million people in the state.

“This goes to show that there is currently a ratio of one doctor to about 7,500 residents in the state. Notwithstanding this shortage, the few doctors that have also decided to stay behind and shun the temptation of emigrating abroad are daily faced with unwarranted attacks.

“If you have an estimated population of about nine million in Ogun State and we have only 1,200 doctors working in the state, you know this is a far cry. The 1,200 doctors remaining have decided to stay back to give back to their country.

“It is important for the government and the public to prioritise the welfare of healthcare workers who remained in the state despite the manpower shortage,” he said.

The NMA chairman estimated that the state required between 5,000 and 10,000 doctors to provide adequate healthcare services.

“If we have between 5,000 and 10,000 doctors in Ogun State, it will not be too bad. But those 1,200 doctors who are still here are trying their best,” Mr Ogunjimi said.

(NAN)

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Commissioner for Health in Plateau state, Dr. Nicholas Ba’amlong, has disclosed that the state recorded 441 suspected cholera cases and 14 deaths across four local government areas since the outbreak of the disease in June.

Ba’amlong, who gave the update in Jos on Monday also confirmed 20 positive Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) cases and six laboratory-confirmed cases through culture, with infections affecting 25 wards and 107 settlements.

Commissioner said that the state government is intensifying emergency response measures to curb further spread.

Ba’amlong said that only three patients remain on admission in Jos North Local Government Area, describing the development as an indication that the government’s interventions were yielding results.

According to the commissioner, the disease was first isolated in Mangu Local Government Area in early June 2026, which prompted the ministry to activate a coordinated multi-sectoral emergency response in collaboration with local government councils, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), and development partners.

Ba’amlong said Mangu, which he described as the epicentre of the outbreak, recorded 53 suspected cases, with 10 testing positive through Rapid Diagnostic Tests and four confirmed by laboratory culture, while 10 deaths were reported across nine wards and 64 settlements.

The commissioner noted that there is currently no active cholera case in Mangu, with the last reported case recorded on July 22, 2026.

He said, “Jos North LGA has recorded 277 suspected cases, seven positive Rapid Diagnostic Tests, one laboratory-confirmed case, and four deaths, affecting 61 settlements in 14 wards.

“In Jos South Local Government Area, the commissioner said only one confirmed case was recorded, adding that the patient had been successfully treated and discharged without any fatality.

“Barkin Ladi Local Government Area recorded its first case on July 16, with 23 suspected cases, two positive Rapid Diagnostic Tests, no laboratory-confirmed case, and no death reported, while two settlements in one ward have been affected.

The commissioner warned that even though transmission has been interrupted in Mangu, infections were still being recorded in Jos North, Jos South and Barkin Ladi, indicating continued transmission in some communities.

Ba’amlong attributed many of the fatalities to late presentation at health facilities, urging residents to seek immediate medical attention whenever symptoms of cholera are noticed.

The commissioner said the government has intensified active case searches, expanded community surveillance, strengthened disease reporting across health facilities and ensured the continuous availability of Oral Rehydration Salts, intravenous fluids, antibiotics and other essential medical supplies.

He assured residents of Jos North that additional Oral Rehydration Points will be established in the area, while free or subsidised treatment is being provided at designated cholera treatment centres.

Ba’amlong said healthcare workers in Mangu, Barkin Ladi and Jos North were being trained with the support of the World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF, while Rapid Diagnostic Test kits had been distributed to all affected local government areas to improve early detection.

The commissioner also assured residents that the state government would sustain its collaboration with the NCDC, WHO, UNICEF and other development partners until the outbreak is fully contained, urging the public to maintain proper hygiene, drink safe water and report suspected cases promptly.