The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control has confirmed 165 Lassa fever cases and 31 deaths across nine states in the first five weeks of 2026.
In its situation report released on Monday, the agency stated that over 754 suspected cases were reported during the period, with nine health workers among those infected.
“Cumulatively, as at week five 2026, 31 deaths have been reported with a Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 18.8 per cent, which is lower than the CFR for the same period in 2025 (19.6 per cent),” the report read.
According to the NCDC, 92 per cent of all confirmed cases were reported from five states: Bauchi (47 per cent), Ondo (18 per cent), Taraba (14 per cent), Edo (eight per cent), and Plateau (five per cent). The remaining eight per cent were recorded from four other states.
The predominant age group affected is 21 to 30 years, with a median age of 28 years. The male-to-female ratio for confirmed cases is 1:0.8.
The agency noted that 135 cases are currently being managed at treatment centres, with at least 110 suspected cases undergoing contact tracing and follow-ups.
NCDC response efforts include a high-level field mission to Bauchi State, activation of the National Lassa Fever Emergency Operations Centre Incident Management System, sample analysis across the laboratory network, and advocacy for a budget line to support field activities for Lassa fever prevention and control.
Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness endemic in Nigeria and other parts of West Africa, spread by the mastomys rat species. Humans typically become infected through exposure to food or household items contaminated with the urine or faeces of infected rats.
