A Deadlier Lassa Fever Season: Nigeria Records 214 Deaths As Cases Rise
Nigeria is facing a worsening Lassa fever outbreak, with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) reporting 214 deaths and 855 confirmed cases across 23 states in the first 23 weeks of 2026.
The latest Lassa Fever Situation Report revealed that the disease has spread to 109 local government areas, with the case fatality rate rising to 25 per cent, significantly higher than the 18.9 per cent recorded during the same period in 2025.
According to the report, 13 new confirmed cases and four deaths were recorded in Epidemiological Week 23, covering 1-7 June 2026.
The new infections were reported in Edo, Ondo, Bauchi and Ebonyi states.
Five states, Ondo, Bauchi, Taraba, Edo and Benue, accounted for 84 per cent of all confirmed cases nationwide.
Ondo State recorded the highest burden with 28 per cent of confirmed infections, followed by Bauchi with 25 per cent and Taraba with 15 per cent.
The NCDC noted that young adults aged 21 to 30 years remain the most affected group, while suspected and confirmed cases have increased compared to the same period last year.
Encouragingly, no healthcare worker infection was recorded during the reporting week.
To contain the outbreak, the agency and its partners have intensified surveillance, case management, infection prevention training, community engagement, contact tracing and public awareness campaigns across high-burden states.
However, challenges such as late presentation of cases, poor health-seeking behaviour, inadequate sanitation and low public awareness continue to hamper response efforts.
The NCDC urged states to strengthen year-round community sensitisation, while healthcare workers were advised to maintain a high index of suspicion for Lassa fever and adhere strictly to infection prevention and control measures.
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