The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) says Lassa fever has claimed 214 lives in 2026, with the fatality rate rising to 25 per cent, up from 18.9 per cent recorded during the same period last year.
According to the agency’s Week 23 situation report, new confirmed cases remained unchanged from the previous week, with infections reported in Edo, Ondo, Bauchi and Ebonyi states. No new infections among healthcare workers were recorded.
The NCDC said the outbreak has spread to 23 states and 109 local government areas, with Ondo accounting for the highest number of confirmed cases, followed by Bauchi, Taraba, Edo and Benue. Together, these five states represent 84 per cent of all confirmed infections.
The agency noted that people aged 21 to 30 years remain the most affected group and warned that the rising fatality rate and continued spread of the disease indicate ongoing transmission.
The NCDC added that its National Lassa Fever Incident Management System remains active to coordinate surveillance, case management and response efforts across affected states