NCDC Strengthens Disease Surveillance and Private-Sector Collaboration Amid Multi-Outbreak Response
Abuja & Nationwide, Nigeria — The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) continues to play a pivotal role in protecting public health as the agency intensifies surveillance, epidemiological reporting, and strategic partnerships to drive health security across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
📊 Multiple Outbreaks Under Surveillance — Robust National Response
In its latest situation briefing, NCDC confirmed that Nigeria is responding to multiple infectious disease outbreaks spanning all six geopolitical zones, demonstrating the agency’s comprehensive surveillance and emergency response capacity. These efforts involve tracking suspected and confirmed cases, coordinating with state health authorities, and supporting rapid public health interventions nationwide.
A focal point of NCDC’s current work has been Lassa fever surveillance, with weekly reports showing 21 new confirmed cases and nine deaths in the first epidemiological week of 2026, signalling continued vigilance as the nation enters the peak season for viral haemorrhagic fevers.
Year-End 2025 Lassa Fever Burden: Insights and Improvements
Reflecting on 2025, NCDC reported that Lassa fever claimed 215 lives from 1,148 confirmed cases nationwide — illustrating the ongoing public health challenge and highlighting the importance of early detection and treatment. Although the number of suspected and confirmed cases was lower than in the previous year, the case fatality rate remained elevated, underscoring the need for sustained community education and health system readiness.
NCDC epidemiologists emphasise that behavioural factors — including delayed health-seeking and poor sanitation in some communities — contribute to fatalities, and the agency continues to work with states and partners to improve access to care.
NCDC Calls for Structured Private-Sector Investment in National Health Security
In Abuja, NCDC Director-General Dr. Jide Idris urged the private sector to move beyond crisis-driven donations to long-term co-investment in health security infrastructure and preparedness. This call — coming out of the recent NCDC–Private Sector Engagement Roundtable on Health Security — underlined the importance of sustainable financing to support disease surveillance systems, laboratory capacity, workforce training, and outbreak response operations nationwide.
Dr. Idris noted that structured co-investment would help ensure that Nigeria’s health system is better equipped to protect lives, support economic stability, and respond to future public health threats.
Why This Matters for Nigeria’s Health and Development
Enhanced National Disease Surveillance
NCDC’s multi-disease monitoring strengthens the country’s ability to detect, report, and respond quickly to outbreaks — from Lassa fever to other emerging threats — reducing risks to public health.
Sustainable Health Security Partnerships
By calling for private-sector co-investment, NCDC is championing broader collaboration that can sustain critical health infrastructure and operational readiness — a key component of resilient health systems.
Data-Driven Public Health Decisions
Regular situation reports and epidemiological tracking — such as the confirmed Lassa fever cases and annual burden figures — provide evidence for targeted interventions, resource allocation, and community risk communication.
