Key Takeaways
- Nigeria has recorded 922 confirmed cases and 221 deaths from Lassa fever this year, with a case fatality rate of 24.0 per cent.
- New infections have risen steadily over a three-week period, with 31 confirmed cases recorded in Week 26.
- The disease has spread across 23 states and 111 local government areas, with 85 per cent of cases originating from five states – Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Benue, and Edo.
- Young adults aged between 21 and 30 years are the most affected age group, and healthcare workers continue to face occupational risks from the disease.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has raised fresh concern over the persistent spread of Lassa fever, revealing that the disease has claimed 221 lives this year, with new infections rising steadily over a three-week period. The latest epidemiological situation reports released by the agency for Weeks 24, 25, and 26 showed that confirmed cases increased from 13 in Week 24 to 22 in Week 25 and further climbed to 31 in Week 26, signalling renewed transmission across affected states.
The reports indicated that Nigeria recorded a cumulative total of 922 confirmed cases and 221 deaths by the end of Week 26 (June 22–28, 2026), 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. The latest 31 confirmed cases were recorded in Ondo, Taraba, Benue, and Bauchi states, with Ondo and Bauchi remaining among the country’s major hotspots.
Lassa Fever Transmission and Prevention
Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic disease endemic in Nigeria and several West African countries. It is primarily transmitted through contact with food or household items contaminated by the urine or droppings of infected multimammate rats, although person-to-person transmission can also occur, particularly in healthcare settings. The NCDC has continued to urge Nigerians to maintain good environmental hygiene, store food properly to prevent contamination by rodents, avoid contact with rat urine and faeces, and promptly seek medical attention if symptoms such as fever, weakness, headache, or unexplained bleeding develop.
Health experts have repeatedly warned that the persistently high fatality rate points to delays in case detection, late presentation of patients for treatment, and continued exposure to infected rodents, which are the primary carriers of the Lassa virus. The NCDC has also called on healthcare workers to maintain strict infection prevention and control measures while handling suspected cases to reduce the risk of hospital-based transmission.
Why This Matters
The continued spread of Lassa fever in Nigeria poses a significant public health threat, and it is essential for the government and healthcare workers to take **stronger measures** to prevent the spread of the disease and reduce the fatality rate. By maintaining good environmental hygiene and taking prompt medical action, Nigerians can help prevent the spread of Lassa fever and protect themselves and their communities from this deadly disease.