The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has reported a significant increase in deaths linked to Lassa fever in 2026, even as the number of newly confirmed infections declined in the most recent reporting week.
In its Epidemiological Week 13 update released in Abuja, the agency revealed that a total of 167 fatalities have been recorded so far this year. It also noted that the case fatality rate has climbed to 25.2 per cent, a notable rise compared to the 18.5 per cent recorded during the same period in 2025.
According to the report, 26 new confirmed infections were documented in week 13, showing a drop from the 51 cases reported in the preceding week. These cases were identified across seven states, including Edo, Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Ebonyi, Benue, and Kaduna.
Despite the weekly decline, the NCDC stressed that the overall disease burden remains high. So far in 2026, there have been 663 confirmed cases out of 3,831 suspected cases reported across 22 states and 93 local government areas. The agency added that both suspected and confirmed cases have increased compared to the same period last year.
The report identified Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Edo, and Benue as the most affected states, accounting for about 85 per cent of all confirmed infections. It further indicated that young adults aged between 21 and 30 are the most impacted group, with a median age of 30 years.
Several factors were highlighted as contributing to the high death rate, including delayed presentation of patients, poor health-seeking behaviour, and the high cost of treatment. Additional challenges include inadequate environmental sanitation and low awareness levels in communities heavily affected by the disease.
Encouragingly, the report noted that no new infections among healthcare workers were recorded during the week under review.
To tackle the outbreak, the NCDC said it has activated a multi-partner incident management system to coordinate response efforts nationwide. The agency, working alongside organisations such as the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and Médecins Sans Frontières, has intensified surveillance, contact tracing, and public awareness campaigns.
It also stated that targeted measures, including a protection plan for healthcare workers and improved infection prevention strategies, are being implemented in the most affected states.
The agency urged state governments to strengthen community engagement throughout the year and called on healthcare workers to remain vigilant in identifying symptoms early to ensure prompt treatment.
Public health experts have warned that the rising fatality rate, despite improved response measures, highlights persistent gaps in early diagnosis and access to healthcare services.
Lassa fever, an acute viral haemorrhagic disease caused by the Lassa virus, is primarily transmitted through contact with food or household items contaminated by rodents. Nigeria experiences outbreaks of the disease annually, particularly during the dry season when human contact with infected rodents increases.
Health authorities continue to emphasise that early detection, timely treatment, and strict infection control practices are essential to reducing deaths and preventing further spread.