The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed that Lassa fever has claimed 221 lives out of the 922 cases recorded nationwide, with the disease continuing to record a higher fatality rate than during the same period last year.
Key Highlights
- The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) confirmed 922 Lassa fever cases and 221 deaths nationwide as of Week 26.
- The outbreak has recorded a 24% case fatality rate, higher than the 18.7% reported during the same period in 2025.
- Confirmed infections increased over three consecutive weeks, rising from 13 cases (Week 24) to 22 (Week 25) and 31 (Week 26).
- New cases were reported in Ondo, Taraba, Benue and Bauchi states.
- Twenty-three states and 111 local government areas have recorded confirmed cases since the beginning of the year.
The latest figures were published in the agency’s Lassa Fever Situation Reports released on Tuesday.
According to the reports, the number of newly confirmed infections increased steadily over the three-week period, rising from 13 cases in Week 24 to 22 cases in Week 25, before reaching 31 cases in Week 26.
The new infections were recorded in Ondo, Taraba, Benue and Bauchi States.
The NCDC said the cumulative total has reached 922 confirmed infections and 221 deaths by the end of Week 26, representing a 24 percent case fatality rate, compared with 18.7 percent recorded during the corresponding period in 2025.
The agency disclosed that 23 states have reported confirmed cases across 111 local government areas since the beginning of the year.
It added that Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Benue and Edo States account for about 85 percent of all confirmed infections nationwide, making them the states most affected by the outbreak.
According to the report, people between the ages of 21 and 30 years remain the most affected demographic.
Providing a breakdown of the weekly situation, the NCDC said Week 24 recorded 13 new infections, matching the figure reported in the previous week.
Cases were confirmed in Ondo, Edo, Taraba, Benue and Bauchi States.
By the end of Week 24, the cumulative number of confirmed infections stood at 868, while 216 deaths had been recorded, resulting in a 24.9 per cent case fatality rate.
The agency also reported that one healthcare worker contracted the disease during the week.
In Week 25, the number of new infections rose to 22, with confirmed cases reported in Ondo, Taraba, Benue and Bauchi States.
Read also:
- UNICEF, Kano, Jigawa, Katsina Develop 5-Year Strategy to Tackle Child Poverty
- Delta Approves Recruitment Of Science Teachers, Procurement Of 100 Mass Transit Buses
The cumulative figures increased to 891 confirmed cases and 219 deaths, representing a 24.6 percent case fatality rate. No healthcare worker was infected during the reporting period.
The upward trend continued in Week 26, when 31 additional cases were confirmed, bringing the nationwide total to 922 infections and 221 deaths.
The report also noted that one healthcare worker was infected during the week.
The NCDC said surveillance and response activities remain ongoing across affected states as health authorities continue efforts to contain the outbreak.
The agency advised Nigerians to reduce their risk of infection by maintaining proper environmental sanitation, preventing contact with rodents, storing food safely and seeking immediate medical care if symptoms such as persistent fever, headache, weakness or unexplained bleeding develop.
It also encouraged the public to report suspected cases through its toll-free emergency line, 6232, and to rely on the agency’s official communication platforms for verified public health information.
