Lassa fever kills 214 as death rate surges to 25% in Nigeria

Lassa fever has claimed 214 lives in Nigeria this year, with the case fatality rate rising to 25 per cent, according to the latest situation report released by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).

The NCDC, in its Lassa Fever Situation Report for Epidemiological Week 23, covering June 1 to June 7, 2026, said the fatality rate increased from 18.9 per cent recorded during the same period in 2025.

The agency noted that the number of new confirmed cases in Week 23 remained unchanged from the previous week, with fresh infections reported in Ondo, Edo, Bauchi and Ebonyi states.

It added that no new healthcare worker infections were recorded during the reporting period.

According to the report, the outbreak has spread across 23 states and 109 Local Government Areas since the beginning of the year, with both suspected and confirmed cases increasing compared to the corresponding period in 2025.

The NCDC said five states account for 84 per cent of all confirmed cases nationwide. Ondo State recorded the highest burden with 28 per cent of cases, 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 16 per cent of confirmed cases were reported across 18 other states.
The agency further disclosed that young adults remain the most affected age group, with the highest number of infections recorded among persons aged 21 to 30 years. Confirmed cases ranged from one to 93 years, while the median age of affected individuals was 30 years.

To strengthen response efforts, the NCDC said the National Lassa Fever Multi-Partner, Multi-Sectoral Incident Management System (IMS) remains activated and is coordinating interventions at the federal, state and local government levels.

Despite the absence of new infections among healthcare workers in Week 23, the agency warned that the rising fatality rate and the continued geographical spread of the disease indicate sustained transmission.

The NCDC said surveillance, case management and other response activities are ongoing in the 23 affected states to contain the outbreak and reduce mortality.