The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed that death toll from Lassa fever has risen to 167 so far in 2026, despite the drop in the number of newly confirmed infections.
According to the agency’s Epidemiological Week 13 report released on Thursday in Abuja, new cases dropped to 26 in week 13, down from 51 recorded the previous week.
However, the case fatality rate continued to climb, reaching 25.2 per cent compared to 18.5 per cent during the same period in 2025.
The NCDC reported that 663 confirmed cases have been recorded out of 3,831 suspected cases across 22 states and 93 local government areas this year.
The disease was active in seven states: Edo, Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Ebonyi, Benue, and Kaduna.
Five states – Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Edo, and Benue – accounted for 85 per cent of all confirmed cases nationwide.
Young adults aged 21 to 30 remain the most affected group, with a median age of 30 years, the agency said.
Authorities attributed the rising fatality rate to late presentation of cases, poor health-seeking behaviour, high treatment costs, poor environmental sanitation, and low awareness in high-burden communities.
No new infections were recorded among healthcare workers during the reporting week, the NCDC added.
To contain the outbreak, the agency said it has activated a multi-partner Incident Management System and stepped up collaboration with the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and Médecins Sans Frontières. Surveillance, contact tracing, public awareness campaigns, and healthcare worker protection plans have also been strengthened.
The NCDC urged state governments to improve community engagement and called on healthcare workers to maintain a high index of suspicion to ensure early detection and treatment.
Health experts note that the persistent rise in fatality rates, despite ongoing response efforts, highlights urgent gaps in early diagnosis and access to care.
