The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) says five new healthcare workers contacted Lassa Fever between 9th and 15th February, 2026.
According to the Lassa Fever Situation Report for Week 7 (9th – 15th February, 2026) the number of new confirmed cases increased from 74 in Epi week 6 to 82.
TheFact Daily recalls that the agency had issued an advisory for healthcare workers to maintain high suspicion for Lassa fever, initiate timely referral and treatment, and adhere to standard infection prevention and control procedures. This, however, seems to have been ignored as more healthcare workers come down with the disease.
NCDC disclosed that “in week 7, the number of new confirmed cases increased from 74 in Epi week 6 to 82.These were reported in Ondo, Bauchi, Taraba, Edo, Plateau, Gombe, Nasarawa, Kano, Ebonyi, FCT, Kogi, Kebbi, Kaduna and Benue States
“Cumulatively as at week 7 2026, 75 deaths have been reported with a Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 23.0% which is higher than the CFR for the same period in 2025 (19.7%). In total for 2026, 14 States have recorded at least one confirmed case across 58 Local Government Areas.
“Eighty-four (84%) of all confirmed Lassa fever cases were reported from 4 states (Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba and Edo) while fifteen (16%) were reported from 12 states with confirmed Lassa fever cases. Of the 84% confirmed cases, Bauchi reported 33%, Ondo 22%, Taraba 19% and Edo 10%”.
According to the report, the predominant age group affected was 21-30 years. The male-to-female ratio for confirmed cases was 1:0.8.
Furthermore, “the number of suspected and confirmed cases decreased compared to that reported for the same period in 2025.
“Five new healthcare workers were affected in the reporting week 7. National Lassa fever multi-partner, multi-sectoral Incident Management System (IMS) activated to support the coordination of response activities at all levels”.
The NCDC therefore recommended that states bolster efforts all-year-round for community engagements on prevention of Lassa fever.
It further urged Healthcare Workers to maintain high suspicion for Lassa fever and initiate timely referral and treatment, and adhere to standard infection prevention and control procedures.
Partners were also advised to strengthen state capacity to prevent, detect and respond timely to Lassa fever.
