Nigeria has reported a significant increase in Lassa fever cases and deaths since the beginning of 2026. According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), the country has recorded 259 deaths, representing a case-fatality rate of 23.9 per cent. This rate is higher than the 18.6 per cent recorded during the same period in 2025. The NCDC reported 1,086 confirmed cases across 24 states and 118 Local Government Areas.
The NCDC identified several challenges contributing to the high case-fatality rate, including late presentation of patients, poor health-seeking behaviour linked to high treatment costs, and poor environmental sanitation. Inadequate awareness in high-burden communities and infections among healthcare workers are also significant concerns. The agency noted that people aged 21 to 30 years are the predominant age group affected by Lassa fever in 2026.
Five states account for 87 per cent of the confirmed cases recorded in 2026. Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Benue, and Edo states have reported the highest number of cases. The disease has spread to 24 states and 118 Local Government Areas, with 12 new confirmed cases reported in Ondo, Edo, and Kogi states during week 36. No new healthcare worker infections were reported during this period.
The NCDC has developed a 30-day Healthcare Worker Protection Plan to reduce infections among frontline health workers in affected states. The agency provided technical support to investigate and mitigate healthcare worker infections and supplied personal protective equipment to health facilities. It also strengthened infection prevention and control programmes in several states and conducted capacity-building sessions for infection prevention and control focal persons.
The NCDC deployed national rapid response teams across seven high-burden states and continued active case searches and contact tracing in collaboration with partners. Other response measures included training frontline healthcare workers, supporting case management training, prepositioning personal protective equipment and medicines, and conducting risk communication and community engagement activities.
The NCDC recommended that states strengthen year-round community engagement on Lassa fever prevention. Healthcare workers are urged to maintain a high index of suspicion for the disease, refer suspected cases promptly for treatment, and comply with standard infection prevention and control procedures. State-level capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to Lassa fever should also be strengthened.
Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness that can cause severe disease and death. Early diagnosis and treatment with Ribavirin are critical for improving survival. The disease is transmitted to humans primarily through contact with food or household items contaminated by the urine or faeces of infected rats. It can also spread from person to person through contact with bodily fluids.
Key points
- The case-fatality rate of 23.9 per cent is significantly higher than the 18.6 per cent recorded during the same period in 2025.
- Five states account for 87 per cent of the confirmed cases recorded in 2026.
- The NCDC has developed a 30-day Healthcare Worker Protection Plan to reduce infections among frontline health workers.
