The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed that Lassa fever has killed 221 persons nationwide, with the number of laboratory-confirmed cases rising to 922 across 23 states and 111 Local Government Areas as of Epidemiological Week 26.
The agency, in its latest Lassa fever situation report, also disclosed that the disease continues to spread, with new infections increasing steadily over three consecutive weeks despite ongoing surveillance and response efforts.
According to the report, 13 new confirmed cases were recorded in Week 24, 22 cases in Week 25, while Week 26 recorded 31 fresh infections, bringing the cumulative number of confirmed cases to 922.
The NCDC said the outbreak has so far resulted in 221 deaths, representing a case fatality rate (CFR) of 24.0 per cent, significantly higher than the 18.7 per cent recorded during the corresponding period in 2025.
It identified Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Benue and Edo states as the worst-hit, accounting for about 85 per cent of all confirmed cases reported this year.
The agency further revealed that persons between the ages of 21 and 30 years remain the most affected demographic.
A breakdown of the weekly reports showed that Week 24 ended with 868 confirmed cases and 216 deaths, including one infected healthcare worker. By Week 25, the figures had risen to 891 confirmed cases and 219 deaths, with no infection recorded among healthcare workers.
In Week 26, the cumulative confirmed cases increased to 922 following 31 new infections reported in Ondo, Taraba, Benue and Bauchi states. One healthcare worker was also infected during the period.
While noting a marginal decline in the case fatality rate from 24.9 per cent in Week 24 to 24.0 per cent in Week 26, the NCDC cautioned that the mortality rate remains considerably higher than that recorded during the same period last year.
The public health agency urged Nigerians to intensify preventive measures by maintaining proper environmental sanitation, storing food safely to prevent contamination by rodents, avoiding contact with rats and their droppings, and seeking immediate medical attention when symptoms such as persistent fever, weakness, headache or unexplained bleeding occur.
The NCDC also appealed to the public to promptly report suspected cases through its toll-free emergency line, 6232, to strengthen surveillance and contain the spread of the viral haemorrhagic disease.
