Nigeria has recorded a concerning rise in Lassa fever deaths in 2026, even as the number of new infections shows a recent decline, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).
In its latest epidemiological update for Week 13, released in Abuja, the NCDC confirmed that 167 people have died from the disease so far this year.
Despite fewer new cases reported in the most recent week, the fatality rate has increased significantly. The case fatality rate (CFR) now stands at 25.2 percent, compared to 18.5 percent during the same period in 2025.
The report shows that 26 new confirmed infections were recorded in Week 13, down from 51 cases in the previous week. However, health officials warn that the overall outbreak remains severe.
A total of 663 confirmed cases have been identified out of 3,831 suspected infections across 22 states and 93 local government areas nationwide.
The NCDC identified five states—Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Edo, and Benue—as the most affected, accounting for about 85 percent of all confirmed cases.
Other states reporting infections include Kaduna and Ebonyi, indicating continued geographic spread.
Young adults between the ages of 21 and 30 are the most impacted group, with a median age of 30 years among confirmed cases.
Public health authorities say several factors are contributing to the rising death toll. These include late hospital visits, poor health-seeking behaviour, high treatment costs, and low awareness in vulnerable communities.
Environmental conditions such as poor sanitation and increased exposure to rodents—known carriers of the Lassa virus—are also worsening the situation.
Encouragingly, no new infections among healthcare workers were recorded during the reporting week, suggesting improved infection prevention measures in medical settings.
In response, the NCDC has activated a national Incident Management System, working closely with global partners including the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF).
Efforts are being intensified in surveillance, contact tracing, and public awareness campaigns, particularly in high-risk states.
The agency is also implementing targeted strategies to protect healthcare workers and strengthen infection control systems.
The NCDC has urged state governments to sustain community engagement efforts and called on healthcare professionals to maintain vigilance for early symptoms of Lassa fever.
Experts stress that improving early diagnosis and access to treatment remains critical to reducing fatalities.
Lassa fever is a viral haemorrhagic disease transmitted mainly through contact with food or surfaces contaminated by infected rodents.
Nigeria experiences seasonal outbreaks, particularly during the dry season when human contact with rodents increases.
Health officials emphasize that early detection, timely treatment, and proper hygiene practices are key to controlling the disease and preventing further deaths.
