Health Alert: Cholera, Lassa Fever, Other Infectious Diseases Hit Nigeria as NCDC Shares Details
- Nigeria faces multiple infectious disease outbreaks, including cholera, diphtheria, and Lassa fever
- NCDC has strengthened health security through coordinated efforts and strategic investments in emergency preparedness
- Rising dengue fever cases have raised alarms, with one reported fatality and increasing public health concerns
Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering health matters in Nigeria and Africa.
FCT, Abuja - The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has said that Nigeria is currently responding to multiple infectious disease outbreaks across all six geopolitical zones.
As reported by The Punch, the diseases include cholera, diphtheria, Lassa fever, and measles.
Source: Twitter
Nigeria battles multiple infectious diseases
Jide Idris, NCDC director-general (DG), disclosed this on Tuesday, January 27, during a Stakeholder Workshop on Preparedness and Response to Public Health Emergencies, organised by the agency, in collaboration with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Idris noted that these outbreaks are compounded by climate-related and humanitarian emergencies, as well as broader structural factors such as population mobility, rapid urbanisation, pressure on health systems, and persistent inequities in access to essential services.
Vanguard quoted Idris as saying:
“Preparedness is not defined by the absence of outbreaks, but by the capacity to anticipate risk, detect threats early, coordinate effectively across sectors and levels of government, and respond in a timely, equitable, and evidence-driven manner."
NCDC strengthens Nigeria’s health security
The NCDC boss emphasised that the centre works in close collaboration with the federal ministry of health, state governments, sister agencies, and development partners to strengthen the country’s health security architecture.
He said:
“Over the years, Nigeria has made deliberate investments to enhance its emergency preparedness, including the implementation of the International Health Regulations (2005) Monitoring and Evaluation Framework, the adoption of the National Action Plan for Health Security 2.0, operationalisation of the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response, IDSR, 3rd Edition, and the ongoing implementation of the 7-1-7 outbreak detection and response approach."
Source: Twitter
Dengue kills one in Sokoto
Meanwhile, the NCDC has raised the alarm over a rise in dengue fever cases, with one death recorded in Sokoto State.
According to its latest Situation Report, 29 suspected cases were reported in Sokoto in November 2025, six of which were laboratory-confirmed. One fatality was recorded, pushing the case fatality rate (CFR) for the month to a concerning 16.67 per cent.
Between January and November 2025, Nigeria recorded a total of 735 suspected dengue cases, 219 confirmed infections, and two deaths. This translates to a national CFR of 0.91 per cent across five states and 17 local government areas (LGAs).
Speaking on the development, NCDC's Idris, on Thursday, January 22, warned that dengue fever, though often underreported, is becoming an increasing public health concern in Nigeria due to climate change, rapid urbanisation, and poor vector control.
Read more on the NCDC:
- Coronavirus: Nigeria records highest increase in 24 hours as NCDC announces new cases
- NCDC confirms 13 new Lassa fever cases, 4 deaths, mentions states affected
NCDC: Suspected Ebola, Marburg ruled out
Legit.ng earlier reported that the NCDC disclosed that two recent suspected cases tested negative for Ebola and Marburg.
According to a statement signed by Idris, obtained by Legit.ng, further tests for other viral haemorrhagic fevers (VHFs) like Lassa and Dengue are ongoing.
Proofreading by James Ojo, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
