Lassa fever has claimed 214 lives in Nigeria, including a medical doctor in Benue State, with the case fatality rate rising to 25 per cent.

The doctor’s death prompted health authorities to activate emergency containment measures, including contact tracing and intensified surveillance.

According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) ‘Lassa Fever Situation Report’ for Week 23 (June 1 to June 7, 2026), the fatality rate represents an increase from the 18.9 per cent recorded during the same period in 2025.

“New confirmed cases remained steady in Week 23, matching the number recorded in Week 22. Infections were reported in Edo, Ondo, Bauchi and Ebonyi states.

“The outbreak has spread across 23 states and 109 local councils since January 2026,” the report stated.

Suspected and confirmed cases have also increased compared to the corresponding period last year.
According to the agency, five states account for 84 per cent of all confirmed cases.

“Ondo leads with 28 per cent, followed by Bauchi (25 per cent), Taraba (15 per cent), Edo (10 per cent) and Benue (six per cent). The remaining 16 per cent of cases are spread across 18 other states with confirmed infections,” it added.

The agency noted that young adults remain the most affected demographic, with the predominant age group being 21 to 30 years, cases ranging from 1 to 93 years, and a median age of 30 years.

To coordinate the response, the agency said, the National Lassa Fever Multi-Partner, Multi-Sectoral Incident Management System (IMS) remains activated.

It explained that the IMS is supporting response activities at the federal, state and local government levels.
BENUE Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Paul Ogwuche, confirmed the doctor’s death in Makurdi yesterday.

According to him, the deceased, who worked with the APIN Foundation in Konshisha Local Council, died while battling the disease for more than two weeks.

The commissioner disclosed that the doctor, who hailed from Kwande Local Council, was buried on June 20, 2026.

“There is a fresh case of Lassa fever in the state. One doctor died. The victim worked with APIN Foundation in Konshisha but hailed from the Kwande axis,” Ogwuche said.

He explained that the doctor initially treated himself at home and later sought care at a private hospital before the possibility of Lassa fever was raised.

“For over two weeks, he struggled with the illness. When there was no improvement, one of his friends suggested that his symptoms were indicative of Lassa fever. A preliminary test was conducted and it returned positive,” he said.

Ogwuche revealed that health officials attempted to admit the doctor to the Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH) for specialist treatment, but he initially preferred to continue treatment at home.

Further medical investigations later revealed that the doctor had developed kidney complications, necessitating his referral to Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), where he eventually died.

“His body was brought back from JUTH and buried on Saturday,” Ogwuche added.

The commissioner warned that although Lassa fever is traditionally regarded as a seasonal disease, it is increasingly becoming endemic in parts of the country, underscoring the need for continuous public education and preventive measures.