From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed that Lassa fever has claimed 221 lives across the country in 2026, with the number of confirmed infections rising to 922 as of the end of Epidemiological Week 26 (22nd – 28th June 2026).
The latest Lassa fever situation reports released by the agency showed a steady increase in new infections over three consecutive weeks, although the case fatality rate remained significantly higher than the level recorded during the same period in 2025.
According to the reports, 13 new confirmed cases were recorded in Week 24 (June 8-14), another 22 cases in Week 25 (June 15-21), while Week 26 (June 22-28) recorded 31 new infections, indicating a sustained upward trend in transmission.
The Week 26 report showed that the cumulative number of confirmed cases rose to 922, with 221 deaths, representing a case fatality rate (CFR) of 24.0 per cent. This is higher than the 18.7 per cent CFR recorded during the corresponding period in 2025.
The report indicated that the disease has now spread to 23 states and 111 Local Government Areas (LGAs), with Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Benue and Edo accounting for about 85 per cent of all confirmed cases reported this year.
NCDC noted that the highest burden of infection remains among persons aged between 21 and 30 years.
The agency’s Week 24 report showed that 868 confirmed cases and 216 deaths had been recorded, with a CFR of 24.9 per cent. During that week, infections were reported from Ondo, Edo, Taraba, Benue and Bauchi states, while one healthcare worker was infected.
In Week 25, the cumulative figure increased to 891 confirmed cases and 219 deaths, with the CFR dropping slightly to 24.6 per cent. Twenty-two new cases were reported from Ondo, Taraba, Benue and Bauchi states, while no healthcare worker was infected during the period.
By Week 26, cumulative confirmed cases had increased to 922 following 31 new infections reported in Ondo, Taraba, Benue and Bauchi states. One healthcare worker was also affected during the reporting week.
Despite the slight decline in the case fatality rate from 24.9 per cent in Week 24 to 24.0 per cent in Week 26, the NCDC warned that the mortality rate remains considerably higher than the figures recorded during the same period last year.
NCDC urged Nigerians to remain vigilant by maintaining good environmental sanitation, storing food properly to prevent contamination by rodents, avoiding contact with rats and their urine or droppings, and seeking immediate medical attention if symptoms such as persistent fever, weakness, headache or unexplained bleeding occur.
The public health agency also encouraged members of the public to report suspected cases promptly through its toll-free emergency line, 6232, as part of efforts to strengthen surveillance and contain the spread of the viral haemorrhagic disease.
(The Sun)