The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has reported a sharp rise in Lassa fever fatalities in 2026, with 167 deaths recorded so far, despite a decline in new confirmed cases in the latest reporting week.
In its Epidemiological Week 13 report released on Thursday in Abuja, the NCDC disclosed that the case fatality rate now stands at 25.2 percent, significantly higher than the 18.5 percent recorded during the same period in 2025.
According to the report, 26 new confirmed cases were recorded in week 13, a decrease from 51 cases reported in the previous week. The cases were reported across seven states: Edo, Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Ebonyi, Benue, and Kaduna.
However, the agency noted that the overall burden of the disease remained high, with a total of 663 confirmed cases out of 3,831 suspected cases reported across 22 states and 93 local government areas in 2026.
“The number of suspected and confirmed cases has increased compared to the same period in 2025,” the report stated.
The NCDC identified Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Edo, and Benue as the most affected states, accounting for 85 percent of all confirmed cases. Young adults between the ages of 21 and 30 remained the most affected group, with a median age of 30 years.
The report highlighted persistent challenges driving the high fatality rate, including late presentation of cases, poor health-seeking behaviour, high cost of treatment, poor environmental sanitation, and low awareness levels in high-burden communities.
Despite these concerns, no new infections among healthcare workers were recorded during the reporting week.
In response to the outbreak, the NCDC said it had activated a multi-partner incident management system to coordinate national response efforts. In collaboration with partners such as WHO, UNICEF, and MSF, the agency has intensified surveillance, contact tracing, and public awareness campaigns.
The agency urged state governments to strengthen year-round community engagement and called on healthcare workers to maintain a high index of suspicion for Lassa fever to ensure early detection and treatment.
Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness caused by the Lassa virus and is primarily transmitted through contact with food or household items contaminated by rodents. Nigeria records cases of the disease annually, particularly during the dry season.
