The most recent Lassa Fever Situation Report published by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) indicates that the diseases claimed 167 lives in the first quarter of 2026.
NCDC in the epidemiological week 13 report covering March 23 to 29 published on Thursday said confirmed cases declined to 26 from 51 recorded in the previous week. The new infections were reported in Edo, Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Ebonyi, Benue and Kaduna states.
The 167 deaths recorded so far translate to a case fatality rate of 25.2 per cent, significantly higher than the 18.5 per cent reported during the same period in 2025.
The report showed that Lassa fever had spread to 22 states and 93 local government areas, with Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Edo and Benue accounting for 85 per cent of confirmed cases. Bauchi leads with 28 per cent, followed by Ondo at 22 per cent and Taraba at 18 per cent.
Young adults between 21 and 30 years remain the most affected group, although cases range from ages one to 90. The male-to-female ratio stands at 1 to 0.8, indicating a slightly higher burden among males.
While no new infections among healthcare workers were recorded during the week under review, the NCDC noted that both suspected and confirmed cases remain higher than figures reported at the same time last year.
To contain the outbreak, the agency said a national multi-partner incident management system has been activated, alongside measures such as contact tracing, infection prevention strategies and deployment of rapid response teams to high-burden states.
The NCDC identified late presentation of cases, poor health-seeking behaviour due to treatment costs and low awareness in affected communities as key challenges driving the high fatality rate.
It therefore, urged state governments to intensify community engagement on prevention while advising healthcare workers to maintain a high index of suspicion and adhere strictly to infection prevention and control protocols.
