Lassa Fever Tightens Its Grip With 15 New Deaths As Cases Rise Across Eight States
As Nigeria battles a familiar enemy, the latest Lassa fever figures reveal a worrying surge that underscores how fragile public health gains can be when vigilance drops.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed 74 new Lassa fever cases in the first week of February 2026, up from 44 the previous week, with infections reported across eight states including Bauchi, Taraba, Ondo and Edo.
Fifteen deaths were recorded in the same period, pushing the case fatality rate to over 20 per cent.
Cumulatively, Nigeria has recorded 240 confirmed cases and 51 deaths so far this year, with most infections concentrated in Bauchi, Taraba, Ondo and Edo.
Young adults aged 21-30 remain the most affected, highlighting the disease’s growing toll on the country’s most productive age group.
Two healthcare workers were also infected, raising fresh concerns about safety on the front lines.
In response, emergency teams have been deployed to hard-hit states, treatment centres reinforced and surveillance intensified.
Yet health authorities warn that late presentation of cases and poor health-seeking behaviour continue to fuel fatalities, urging Nigerians to seek care early and maintain hygiene to curb the spread.
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