The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) recorded a reduction in the number of confirmed lassa fever cases; from 77 in Epi week 8 to 65.
This was contained in the recently published Week 9 Lassa Fever Situation Report by the NCDC.
According to the report, the cases were reported in Benue, Ondo, Bauchi, Taraba, Edo, Plateau and Nasarawa States.
NCDC stated that, “Cumulatively as at week 9 2026, 109 deaths have been reported with a Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 23.2% which is higher than the CFR for the same period in 2025 (18.7%). In total for 2026, 18 States have recorded at least one confirmed case across 69 Local Government Areas.
“Eighty-six (86%) of all confirmed Lassa fever cases were reported from 5 states (Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Benue and Edo) while fourteen (14%) were reported from 13 states with confirmed Lassa fever cases.
“Of the 86% confirmed cases, Bauchi reported 28%, Ondo 22%, Taraba 19%, Benue 9% and Edo 8%”.
Furthermore, the agency noted that the predominant age group affected by the disease was 21-30 years. The male-to-female ratio for confirmed cases was 1:0.8.
Also, “the number of suspected and confirmed cases decreased compared to that reported for the same period in 2025. Six new healthcare workers were affected in the reporting week 9”.
Lassa fever, also known as Lassa hemorrhagic fever, is a type of viral hemorrhagic fever caused by the Lassa virus. Many of those infected by the virus do not develop symptoms. When symptoms occur, they typically include fever, weakness, headaches, vomiting, and muscle pains.
Preventing Lassa fever involves avoiding contact with rats, the primary carriers, through good sanitation and proper food storage. It also requires preventing the spread of the virus from person to person by practicing good hygiene and using Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when caring for the sick.
It would be recalled that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) last week strengthened collaboration to review the rising cases of Lassa fever in Nigeria, with a particular focus on protecting healthcare workers and strengthening clinical vigilance across health facilities.
Hopefully, the collaboration starts yielding positive to halt the wave of infections recorded among healthcare workers.
