Nigeria has recorded 214 deaths from Lassa fever since the beginning of 2026, with the disease spreading across 23 states and 109 Local Government Areas, raising fresh concerns over its growing impact on communities nationwide.
According to the latest Lassa Fever Situation Report released by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) for Epidemiological Week 23 (June 1–7, 2026), the fatality rate has risen sharply to 25 per cent, compared to 18.9 per cent during the same period in 2025.
The report showed that newly confirmed infections in Week 23 remained unchanged from the previous week, with fresh cases recorded in Ondo, Edo, Bauchi and Ebonyi states. Encouragingly, no new infections were reported among healthcare workers during the period under review.
Despite ongoing response efforts, both suspected and confirmed cases have increased compared to figures recorded at the same time last year, highlighting the continued threat posed by the disease.
Five states account for 84 per cent of all confirmed infections nationwide. Ondo State leads with 28 per cent of cases, followed by Bauchi with 25 per cent, Taraba with 15 per cent, Edo with 10 per cent and Benue with six per cent. The remaining 16 per cent of confirmed infections were reported across 18 other states.
Young adults between the ages of 21 and 30 remain the most affected group. Confirmed cases ranged from one to 93 years old, while the median age of infected persons was 30 years.
To strengthen containment efforts, the NCDC said the National Lassa Fever Multi-Partner, Multi-Sectoral Incident Management System remains activated, coordinating interventions at federal, state and local government levels.
Although no new infections among healthcare workers were reported in Week 23, the agency warned that the rising fatality rate and continued spread of the disease indicate sustained transmission within affected communities.
Surveillance, case management and other response measures remain ongoing across the 23 affected states as health authorities work to curb infections and reduce the growing death toll.
