The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) says Lassa fever has claimed 214 lives across the country in 2026, with the Case Fatality Rate (CFR) rising to 25.0 per cent.
The agency disclosed this in its Lassa Fever Situation Report for Epidemiological Week 23, covering June 1 to June 7, 2026.
According to the report, the fatality rate represents a significant increase from the 18.9 per cent recorded during the same period in 2025. The NCDC also noted increases in both suspected and confirmed cases compared to the previous year.
The report stated that the number of new confirmed cases remained unchanged in Week 23, matching the figure recorded in Week 22. New infections were reported in Edo, Ondo, Bauchi and Ebonyi states, while no new infections were recorded among healthcare workers during the period.
The NCDC said the outbreak has spread to 23 states and 109 Local Government Areas since the beginning of the year.
It identified Ondo, Bauchi, Taraba, Edo and Benue as the five states accounting for 84 per cent of all confirmed cases. Ondo leads with 28 per cent, followed by Bauchi with 25 per cent, Taraba 15 per cent, Edo 10 per cent and Benue six per cent. The remaining 16 per cent of cases were recorded across 18 other states.
The agency further revealed that young adults remain the most affected age group, with the highest number of cases occurring among persons aged 21 to 30 years.
Confirmed cases ranged from one to 93 years of age, with a median age of 30 years.
To strengthen response efforts, the NCDC said the National Lassa Fever Multi-Partner, Multi-Sectoral Incident Management System (IMS) remains activated and is supporting surveillance, case management and response activities at the federal, state and local government levels.
The agency noted that although no new healthcare worker infection was reported in Week 23, the rising fatality rate and continued spread of the disease indicate sustained transmission, necessitating ongoing surveillance and response measures in affected states.
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