Lassa Fever Deaths Reach 229 As NCDC Reports Fresh Rise

Nigeria has recorded 229 Lassa fever deaths in 2026, with fresh infections rising again after a short decline, according to the latest update from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention.

The agency said confirmed cases increased to 25 in epidemiological week 28 after falling to 14 in week 27. Punch and Vanguard both reported that the new week-28 infections were recorded in Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Kogi and Cross River states.

The NCDC figures put cumulative confirmed cases at 963 out of 6,554 suspected infections between weeks 1 and 28. The case fatality rate stood at 23.8 percent, above the 18.7 percent recorded in the same period of 2025.

Ondo, Bauchi, Taraba, Edo and Benue remain the main burden states, accounting for 86 percent of confirmed infections nationwide. Ondo alone accounted for 31 percent, followed by Bauchi with 25 percent and Taraba with 14 percent.

The agency linked the high death rate to late hospital presentation, poor health-seeking behaviour, treatment costs, weak sanitation in high-burden communities and low awareness. It also warned health workers to keep a high level of caution after one healthcare worker was infected during the reporting week.

Sources: Punch, Vanguard