NCDC records rise in Lassa Fever cases as death toll hits 229
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported a fresh increase in confirmed Lassa fever cases after a brief decline, with the country’s death toll rising to 229 in 2026.
According to the agency’s latest Lassa Fever Situation Report released on Friday, confirmed cases dropped from 31 in epidemiological week 26 to 14 in week 27 before rising to 25 in week 28, indicating continued transmission across affected states.
The report showed that the latest cases were recorded in Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Kogi and Cross River states, while week 27 cases were reported in Ondo, Edo, Benue, Bauchi and Kogi.
As of epidemiological week 28, Nigeria had recorded 963 confirmed Lassa fever cases and 229 deaths, with a case fatality rate of 23.8 per cent, higher than the 18.7 per cent recorded during the same period in 2025. In week 27, the country had recorded 936 confirmed cases and 224 deaths, representing a case fatality rate of 23.9 per cent.
The NCDC said 23 states had reported at least one confirmed case of the disease, with the number of affected local government areas increasing from 113 in week 27 to 114 in week 28.
It noted that Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Benue and Edo accounted for 86 per cent of confirmed cases in week 28, while people aged between 21 and 30 years remained the most affected age group.
The report also revealed that no healthcare worker was infected in week 27, but one healthcare worker contracted the disease in week 28.
The NCDC urged continued surveillance, early detection of cases, prompt treatment, strict infection prevention and control measures, as well as sustained public awareness campaigns to curb the spread of the disease and reduce fatalities.