{
  "id": 532561,
  "title": "Nigeria: Lassa Fever - 53 Health Workers Infected As Cases Hit 1,000 in 2026",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/11/nigeria-lassa-fever-53-health-workers-infected-as-cases-hit-1-000-in",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-08-11T04:40:28.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "AllAfrica Health",
    "slug": "allafrica-health",
    "url": "https://allafrica.com/stories/202608110090.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported that 1,000 cases of Lassa fever have been confirmed across 23 states in Nigeria, resulting in 237 deaths as of July 2026. Notably, 53 healthcare workers have been infected, underscoring the ongoing risk to frontline health workers during the outbreak. The disease, primarily transmitted through contact with contaminated rodents or their excretions, can also spread human-to-human via bodily fluids. Symptoms include fever, weakness, and headache, potentially escalating to severe complications like bleeding, respiratory distress, and organ failure without prompt treatment. The NCDC recommends year-round community engagement on prevention and urges healthcare workers to maintain vigilance for the disease, ensure timely referral and treatment, and adhere to infection control procedures.",
  "summary": "[Premium Times] The NCDC said 23 states have now reported at least one confirmed case across 116 local government areas (LGAs)",
  "key_points": [
    "1,000 Lassa fever cases confirmed in 23 Nigerian states",
    "53 healthcare workers infected, highlighting risk to frontline workers",
    "Symptoms include fever, weakness, and potential severe complications"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": "https://urgent.news/ill/532561.png",
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "AllAfrica",
        "title": "Nigeria: Lassa Fever - 53 Health Workers Infected As Cases Hit 1,000 in 2026",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/11/nigeria-lassa-fever-53-health-workers-infected-as-cases-hit-1-000-in-536258",
        "published": "2026-08-11T04:40:28.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}