The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has disclosed that Lassa fever has claimed 214 lives across the country so far in 2026, with the disease’s fatality rate rising to 25 per cent.
According to the agency’s Epidemiological Week 23 report, which covers June 1 to June 7, Nigeria recorded 13 new confirmed cases and four additional deaths in Edo, Ondo, Bauchi and Ebonyi states during the reporting period.
While the number of weekly infections remained unchanged from the previous week, the latest figures indicate an increase in fatalities linked to the outbreak.
The NCDC said a total of 855 confirmed cases have been recorded from 5,652 suspected infections across 23 states and 109 local government areas this year, highlighting the continued spread of the disease.
The agency noted that the current fatality rate of 25 per cent is significantly higher than the 18.9 per cent recorded during the same period in 2025, when 143 deaths were reported from 758 confirmed cases.
According to the report, five states—Ondo, Bauchi, Taraba, Edo and Benue—account for 84 per cent of all confirmed cases recorded in 2026. Ondo State leads with 28 per cent of confirmed infections, followed by Bauchi with 25 per cent and Taraba with 15 per cent.
The NCDC stated that the disease continues to affect mostly young adults aged between 21 and 30 years, although cases have been reported among patients ranging from one to 93 years old.
The agency attributed the rising fatality rate to late presentation of cases at health facilities, poor health-seeking behaviour and the high cost of treatment.
“The number of suspected and confirmed cases has increased compared to the same period in 2025, while late presentation continues to contribute to the higher fatality rate,” the agency said.
The report also identified poor environmental sanitation and low awareness levels in some high-burden communities as factors contributing to the continued transmission of the disease.
Despite these challenges, the NCDC noted that no healthcare worker was infected during the reporting week. It added that response efforts remain active at both national and state levels, including surveillance, case management, community sensitisation and training of frontline health workers.
The agency urged Nigerians to maintain proper hygiene, prevent contact with rodents and seek immediate medical attention if they experience symptoms such as fever, weakness, sore throat or unexplained bleeding.
