Lassa Fever: Death toll hits 191

By Chioma Obinna

Indication emerged that Nigeria is witnessing a worrying resurgence of Lassa fever infections, as new data from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) revealed a sharp rise in confirmed cases and a persistently high fatality rate across affected states.

In its Lassa Fever Situation Report for Epidemiological Week, the agency confirmed that new cases jumped from nine in Week 17 to 22 in Week 18, with infections recorded in Ondo, Edo, and Plateau States.

The update also revealed that 191 deaths have been recorded so far in 2026, pushing the case fatality rate (CFR) to 24.6 per cent, significantly higher than 19.2 per cent recorded during the same period in 2025.
According to the report, 23 states across 106 Local Government Areas have recorded at least one confirmed case this year.

The report revealed that a heavy concentration of infections continues to be seen in just five states — Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Edo and Benue — which account for 84 per cent of all confirmed cases.

auchi and Ondo alone contribute 26 per cent each, followed by Taraba (16%), Edo (9%) and Benue (7%).
Also, data showed that the 21–30 age group remains the most affected, with cases spanning ages from 1 to 90 years and a median age of 30. The report also noted a near-balanced gender distribution, with a male-to-female ratio of 1:0.9.

The NCDC further confirmed that one healthcare worker was newly infected in Week 18, underscoring ongoing risks to frontline responders despite intensified infection prevention measures.

The NCDC said the rising infections reflect persistent gaps in early detection and community response.
“We are seeing late presentation of cases in many communities, and this continues to drive preventable deaths.

“The high fatality rate is a clear signal that people are arriving at treatment centres too late.”

The agency noted that while suspected cases have declined, confirmed infections are rising, suggesting improved detection but also sustained transmission in high-burden areas.

The report warned that the CFR of 24.6 per cent remains dangerously high, indicating weak health-seeking behaviour and delayed access to care.

“Lassa fever is treatable when detected early, but we are still losing too many lives because patients come in late.”

The NCDC said it has activated a multi-partner Incident Management System (IMS) nationwide and intensified response activities, including: Infection prevention and control (IPC) training for healthcare workers in Ondo and Ebonyi, deployment of rapid response teams to high-burden states, prepositioning of PPE across treatment centres,?community sensitisation campaigns with traditional and religious leaders and expansion of ring IPC strategies in Benue and other hotspot states.

The agency added that it is working with partners including WHO, UNICEF, US CDC, MSF, ALIMA, and RTI International to strengthen surveillance and outbreak control.

The agency urged states to intensify year-round prevention efforts, particularly environmental sanitation and rodent control, which remain key drivers of transmission.

“All stakeholders must sustain community engagement and strengthen infection prevention practices in both health facilities and households,” the report advised.

The NCDC reaffirmed its commitment to reducing fatalities through early detection, improved treatment access, and strengthened healthcare worker protection.

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