The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control has reported that 17 people have died from Lassa fever across eight states in the first three weeks of 2026.
In its weekly epidemiological report released on Thursday, the NCDC stated that 93 confirmed cases were recorded from Bauchi, Taraba, Plateau, Ondo, Edo, Ebonyi, Benue, and Nasarawa states. Bauchi State alone accounted for 46 percent of all infections.
The country’s Case Fatality Rate currently stands at 18.1 percent, slightly lower than the 18.2 percent recorded during the same period in 2025.
Four healthcare workers were infected in week three, underscoring ongoing occupational risks. The age group most affected is 21 to 30 years, with a median age of 27.5 years. The male-to-female ratio among confirmed cases is 1:0.6.
The report noted that 89 percent of all confirmed cases were reported from Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, and Edo states, with the remaining 11 percent spread across five other states.
The national Lassa fever multi-partner Incident Management System has been activated to support response activities, including treatment of confirmed cases, distribution of medical countermeasures like Ribavirin, and risk communication at the community level.
The NCDC highlighted challenges such as late hospital visits, poor health-seeking behaviour, and environmental sanitation issues. It urged states to intensify community engagement and advised healthcare workers to maintain a high index of suspicion for early detection and treatment.
Lassa fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic illness endemic in Nigeria and parts of West Africa. It is primarily transmitted through contact with the excreta of infected multimammate rats. Human-to-human transmission can occur in healthcare settings without proper infection prevention measures.
With no licensed vaccine available, control relies on community hygiene, rodent control, early detection, supportive care, and antiviral treatment. Public health efforts in Nigeria continue to focus on enhanced surveillance, risk communication, and strengthened clinical and laboratory response.
