Lassa Fever: Nigeria Records 109 Deaths in 3 Months
Lassa Fever Claims 109 Lives in Nigeria This Year
Nigeria has reported 109 deaths due to Lassa fever in 2026, according to the latest situation report from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).
The report, covering epidemiological week nine, details 65 new confirmed cases of the illness between February 23 and March 1. This figure reflects a decline from the 77 cases documented the previous week.
The new infections were identified across seven states: Benue, Ondo, Bauchi, Taraba, Edo, Plateau, and Nasarawa.
In total, 469 confirmed cases have been recorded this year, resulting from over 2,400 suspected infections spanning 18 states and 69 local government areas. The case fatality rate currently stands at 23.2%, an increase from 18.7% during the same period in 2025.
Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Benue, and Edo states account for approximately 86% of the confirmed infections, while six healthcare workers were reported infected in the last week.
In response to the outbreak, health authorities have heightened surveillance, contact tracing, and treatment efforts.
