The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has announced that Lassa fever has claimed 214 lives nationwide in 2026, raising concerns over the increasing severity and spread of the disease across the country.
According to the agency’s Lassa Fever Situation Report for Epidemiological Week 23, covering June 1 to June 7, the disease’s Case Fatality Rate (CFR) has risen sharply to 25 per cent, compared to 18.9 per cent recorded during the same period in 2025. The increase means that one out of every four confirmed cases has resulted in death, highlighting the growing public health challenge posed by the viral infection.
The report showed that both suspected and confirmed cases have increased compared to last year. Although the number of new confirmed infections remained unchanged from the previous week, fresh cases were recorded in Edo, Ondo, Bauchi and Ebonyi states, indicating that transmission remains active.
Since January, Lassa fever has spread to 23 states and 109 Local Government Areas, making it one of the most extensive outbreaks in recent years. Health authorities warned that the disease continues to pose a major threat, particularly in communities with poor sanitation and increased exposure to rodents, which are known carriers of the virus.
The NCDC disclosed that five states account for 84 per cent of all confirmed cases recorded so far. Ondo State remains the worst affected, accounting for 28 per cent of infections, followed by Bauchi with 25 per cent, Taraba with 15 per cent, Edo with 10 per cent and Benue with six per cent. The remaining cases are distributed across 18 other states.
Young adults between the ages of 21 and 30 years have been identified as the most affected age group. However, cases have been reported among people aged between one and 93 years, with the median age of infection standing at 30 years.
The agency noted that no new infections among healthcare workers were reported during the review period, describing it as a positive development. Nevertheless, it warned that the rising fatality rate and the continued geographic spread of the disease suggest that transmission pressure remains high.
To strengthen containment efforts, the National Lassa Fever Multi-Partner, Multi-Sectoral Incident Management System (IMS) remains activated. The platform is coordinating surveillance, laboratory testing, treatment, risk communication and emergency response activities across affected states and local government areas.
Health experts have urged Nigerians to intensify preventive measures, including maintaining proper hygiene, keeping food in rodent-proof containers, eliminating rats from homes and surroundings, and seeking immediate medical attention when symptoms such as fever, weakness, headache, sore throat or unexplained bleeding occur.
The NCDC assured that surveillance and case management activities are ongoing in all affected states and emphasized that early diagnosis and prompt treatment remain critical to reducing fatalities.
With the death toll already reaching 214 midway into the year, public health officials are calling for greater vigilance and stronger community awareness to curb the spread of the disease and prevent more lives from being lost.
