While Nigeria watches for Ebola at the borders, two old killers are already claiming lives inside the country.
Lassa fever and cholera have together claimed 275 Nigerian lives in 2026, according to the latest data from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention. The figures — 208 deaths from Lassa fever and 67 from cholera — paint a picture of a country managing multiple public health emergencies simultaneously, even as it guards against the possibility of Ebola importation from Central Africa.
Lassa Fever: A Sharply Rising Death Toll
Nigeria recorded 829 confirmed Lassa fever cases between January and the end of epidemiological week 21 of 2026. That figure comes with a case fatality rate of 25.1 per cent — significantly higher than the 19.1 per cent recorded during the same period in 2025.
Young adults between the ages of 21 and 30 are the most affected group. Furthermore, 39 healthcare workers have been infected during the current outbreak, including physicians, with some deaths reported among clinical staff. That last point is particularly alarming — when healthcare workers become victims, it puts the entire response system under pressure.
Cholera Is Surging
The cholera situation is equally concerning. Suspected cases increased by 73 per cent in May 2026 compared to the same month in 2025. The disease has infected 5,260 people across 128 local government areas in 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory. Children under the age of five are the most vulnerable group.
The NCDC has activated coordinated national responses for both diseases. However, analysts point to delayed care-seeking, weak surveillance in rural areas, and inconsistent infection prevention in some healthcare settings as ongoing challenges. As a result, despite interventions, transmission continues.
The NCDC’s Message
The NCDC urges Nigerians to avoid contact with rodents, which carry Lassa fever. It also emphasises the importance of clean water, proper sanitation, and handwashing in preventing cholera. Moreover, anyone experiencing fever, vomiting, or diarrhoea is urged to seek care immediately rather than waiting.
Nigeria is managing these outbreaks without the global attention that Ebola receives. However, the death toll from Lassa fever and cholera this year is real, significant, and entirely preventable with the right support and public health action.
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