The death toll from Lassa fever in Nigeria has climbed to 167 in 2026, even as newly confirmed infections declined in the latest reporting week.
This is according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCPC), which said the figures were captured in its Epidemiological Week 13 report released in Abuja on Thursday.
The agency noted that although the number of new cases dropped to 26 in week 13 from 51 recorded in the previous week, the fatality rate continued to rise.
It disclosed that the case fatality rate stood at 25.2 per cent, compared to 18.5 per cent recorded during the same period in 2025.
Providing further details on the spread, the report stated that cases were recorded across seven states: Edo, Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Ebonyi, Benue, and Kaduna.
The NCDC also said the overall burden of the disease remains significant, with 663 confirmed cases out of 3,831 suspected cases reported across 22 states and 93 Local Government Areas so far in 2026.
Highlighting the trend compared to last year, the report stated, ”The number of suspected and confirmed cases has increased compared to the same period in 2025.”
The agency identified Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Edo, and Benue as the most affected states, accounting for 85 per cent of confirmed cases nationwide.
It further noted that young adults between the ages of 21 and 30 were the most affected group, with a median age of 30 years.
According to the report, factors responsible for the high fatality rate include late presentation of cases, poor health-seeking behaviour, and the high cost of treatment.
Other contributing issues listed were poor environmental sanitation and low levels of awareness in high-burden communities.
The agency, however, said no new infections were recorded among healthcare workers during the reporting week.
As part of efforts to contain the outbreak, the NCDC said it had activated a multi-partner Incident Management System and intensified collaboration with partners including WHO, UNICEF, and MSF.
It added that surveillance, contact tracing, and public awareness campaigns had been strengthened, alongside targeted interventions such as healthcare worker protection plans and infection prevention strategies.
The agency urged state governments to strengthen community engagement and called on healthcare workers to maintain a high index of suspicion to ensure early detection and treatment.
Health experts say the rising fatality rate despite ongoing response efforts underscores the need to address gaps in early diagnosis and access to care.
