Health care
NCDC Reports Decline In Lassa Fever Cases In Nigeria
NCDC Reports Decline In Lassa Fever Cases In Nigeria
NCDC reports decline in Lassa fever cases in Nigeria. Public health experts have called for more proactive measures to address gaps in early detection.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported a decline in new confirmed Lassa fever cases in its Epidemiological Week 9 2025 report.
The NCDC via its official website on Sunday, said that the fatality rate remained alarmingly high at 18.7 per cent, with 100 deaths recorded so far in 2025.
According to the Lassa Fever Situation Report released by the agency, 29 new cases were confirmed across nine states, a drop from 54 cases recorded in the previous week (Week 8).
It said that the affected states included Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba, Ebonyi, Plateau, Cross River, Nasarawa, and Enugu.
The NCDC highlighted that 72 per cent of all confirmed cases were reported from just three states—Ondo 31 per cent, Bauchi 24 per cent, and Edo 17 per cent.
It said that these states continued to bear the brunt of the outbreak, raising concerns over the effectiveness of ongoing containment efforts.
Furthermore, it noted that one new healthcare worker was infected in Week 9, bringing the total number of affected health workers in 2025 to 17.
“This underscores the urgent need for better protective measures, adequate supply of personal protective equipment (PPEs), and enhanced infection prevention protocols in hospitals,” it said.
The NCDC outlined several challenges impacting the response to the outbreak, including: “Late presentation of cases, leading to high fatality rates”.
“Poor health-seeking behaviour, attributed to the high cost of Lassa fever treatment and management.
“Poor environmental sanitation conditions in high-burden communities and low awareness about Lassa fever symptoms and preventive measures”.
In response to the outbreak, it said that the National Rapid Response Team (NRRT) had been deployed to Gombe, Nasarawa, and Benue states to provide technical support.
Additionally, the NCDC said it had intensified risk communication efforts and conducted training for healthcare workers in Bauchi, Ebonyi, and Benue states.
The agency said it was also collaborating with international partners such as WHO, MSF Geneva, and Georgetown Global Health Nigeria to improve case management and enhance surveillance.
Comparative data from the NCDC showed that while the number of confirmed cases in 2025 (535 cases as of Week 9) is lower than in 2024 (682 cases during the same period), the fatality rate remains nearly the same (18.7% vs. 18.8%).
“The NCDC continues to advise Nigerians to: “avoid contact with rodents and their droppings, store food properly to prevent contamination, and seek medical attention immediately if they experience symptoms such as fever, headache, sore throat, and unexplained bleeding,” it reported.
Meanwhile, public health experts said this called for more proactive measures to address gaps in early detection, treatment affordability, and public awareness to reduce mortality rates in future outbreaks.
They urged state governments, donor agencies, and community leaders to intensify awareness campaigns and improve healthcare infrastructure in Lassa fever hotspots.
As Nigeria battles this recurrent public health challenge, experts emphasised the need for long-term investments in disease surveillance, public health education, and improved access to treatment to curb future outbreaks.
Lassa fever is a viral hemorrhagic disease caused by the Lassa virus, primarily spread through contact with food or household items contaminated by the urine, faeces, or saliva of infected rodents.

Lassa Fever
Human-to-human transmission can also occur, particularly in healthcare settings, with inadequate infection prevention and control (IPC) measures.
Nigeria records Lassa fever cases year-round, with peak transmission occurring between October and May.
The high burden of the disease is linked to widespread rodent infestations, poor sanitation, and a lack of awareness in many communities.
Efforts to combat Lassa fever in the country include: surveillance and early detection, case management, and public health awareness campaigns.
In spite of these efforts, Lassa fever remains a significant public health challenge, with high mortality rates and the potential for international spread, as seen in the recent report.
Abuja
FCTA Confirms Antivenom Stock, Warns Negligent Hospitals, Gives Emergency Lines
FCTA Confirms Antivenom Stock, Warns Negligent Hospitals, Gives Emergency Lines
FCTA confirms antivenom stock, warns negligent hospitals, gives emergency lines. The FCTA said all public hFCTA confirms antivenom stock, warns negligent hospitals, gives emergency linesospitals have sufficient antivenom after singer Ifunanya Nwangene’s death at FMC Jabi. Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe warned facilities to follow protocols or face sanctions, stressing that early treatment is critical.

FCTA
The territory has added 12 ambulances, improved ICUs, and centralized antivenom storage.
Residents are urged to use emergency lines 090157892931 or 090157892932.
Economy
NARD: Resident Doctors Give FG Four Weeks To Meet Demands
NARD: Resident Doctors Give FG Four Weeks To Meet Demands
NARD: Resident doctors give FG four weeks to meet demands. The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has issued a four-week ultimatum to the federal government to fully implement outstanding agreements on salaries, allowances and welfare.
The decision was taken at the end of the association’s national executive council (NEC) meeting and scientific conference, held from January 25 to 29, 2026, in Jos, Plateau state.
In a communiqué signed by Mohammad Suleiman, NARD president, the association expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu, Vice-President Kashim Shettima, and other key stakeholders for their roles in ongoing engagements.
The NEC acknowledged the reinstatement of disengaged doctors at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, and commended the intervention of the ministry of labour and employment and the integrated payroll and personnel information system (IPPIS) on the outstanding 25 and 35 percent consolidated medical salary structure (CONMESS) and accoutrement allowance arrears.
NARD also noted that promotion and salary arrears had been forwarded to relevant authorities, with assurances from the minister of finance that payments would be expedited.
However, the association expressed concern over delays in circulating the directive affirming CONMESS 3 as the approved entry level for medical doctors.
It also decried the non-payment of the professional allowance provided for in the 2026 Appropriation Act and persistent salary arrears across several health institutions.
The association warned of worsening industrial relations at the Benue state University Teaching Hospital and demanded urgent action, alongside calls for improved welfare, timely release of training funds and renewed investment in health infrastructure nationwide.
“The NEC demands the expeditious clearance of the outstanding 25%/35% CONMESS arrears and accoutrement allowance arrears within the assured two weeks, as committed by the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), following the intervention of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment,” the communique reads.

Doctors
“The NEC demands the prompt payment of all promotion arrears already forwarded to the appropriate authorities, in line with the assurances of the Honourable Minister of Finance for payment within the next four (4) weeks.
“The NEC demands the expedited payment of all outstanding salary arrears owed to specific centres, which have been duly forwarded to the Federal Ministry of Finance for processing, within the assured four (4) week timeline.
“After exhaustive deliberations and in recognition of the progress made by the Federal Government towards addressing the legitimate demands of Nigerian resident doctors, the NEC has resolved to extend the suspension of the Total Indefinite Comprehensive Strike (TICS) for a further period of four (4) weeks as a further goodwill gesture, to allow for the full implementation of the Association’s demands.”
The association had earlier suspended its plan to commence another strike on January 12.
The doctors said this was done after firm commitments from critical stakeholders following Shettima’s intervention.
Economy
Ododo Government Unveils Construction Of Model Veterinary Hospital
Ododo Government Unveils Construction Of Model Veterinary Hospital
Ododo government unveils construction of model veterinary hospital. Kogi’s commissioner for livestock development, Olufemi Bolarin, handed over the site to the contractor in Osara, Adavi.
The Kogi government has advanced the construction of a model veterinary hospital, a flagship project under the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support project.
The facility, to be built at the Cattle Value Cluster Osara, Adavi LGA, aims to strengthen animal health systems, improve livestock productivity, and enhance food safety and security.
Kogi’s commissioner for livestock development, Olufemi Bolarin, handed over the site to the contractor in Osara, Adavi.
Mr Bolarin described the project as a strategic investment in improved animal health service delivery, disease prevention, and control to improve livestock productivity in Kogi.
He noted that the project would revolutionise the state’s livestock sector by providing modern veterinary services, enhancing disease surveillance, and promoting the One Health approach.
He thanked the federal government, the World Bank, and the national L-PRES office for their support, saying the project aligns with the state’s developmental agenda and livestock transformation roadmap.
Mr Bolarin praised Governor Ahmed Ododo for his visionary leadership to transform the livestock sector into a modern, productive and resilient contributor to food security, public health and economic development.

Ahmed Ododo
The commissioner urged contractors to comply with approved designs, timelines, and quality specifications.
The project coordinator, Abdulkabir Otaru, said the hospital would address challenges faced by livestock farmers, including limited access to quality veterinary services and inadequate disease surveillance.
Mr Otaru emphasised that the facility will provide modern veterinary clinical services, disease diagnosis, treatment, and surveillance, and support improved animal disease surveillance and response capacity.
He commended the governor for creating an enabling environment for the project and for promptly paying the State counterpart funding for the implementation of the L-PRES project in Kogi.
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