Abuja, April 15, 2026 — Nigeria is experiencing an increase in deaths from Lassa fever even as the number of newly confirmed infections continues to decline, raising concerns among health authorities.
According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, its Epidemiological Week 14 report shows that confirmed cases dropped slightly from 26 in the previous week to 22, while the case fatality rate rose.
The report indicates that the fatality rate climbed to 24.8 per cent, compared to 18.8 per cent recorded during the same period in 2025, suggesting poorer outcomes despite fewer reported infections.
So far in 2026, a total of 170 deaths have been linked to the disease, highlighting ongoing issues such as delayed diagnosis, limited access to timely treatment, and weak health-seeking behaviour in affected communities.
A total of 22 states and 94 local government areas have reported confirmed cases this year, with the majority concentrated in Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Edo, and Benue states.
Bauchi accounts for the largest share of infections, followed by Ondo, Taraba, Edo, and Benue, reflecting a continued regional concentration of cases.
Other states, including Plateau, Ebonyi, and Kogi, have also reported infections, showing that the disease remains widespread despite ongoing response efforts.
Data from the report shows that people aged 21 to 30 are the most affected, although cases have been recorded across a broad age range. Infection rates between males and females remain relatively close, with a slight male predominance.
The report also noted infections among healthcare workers during the period, raising concerns about adherence to infection prevention and control measures in treatment facilities.
Although suspected cases have declined, confirmed infections remain higher than figures recorded at the same time last year, pointing to continued community transmission.
In response, the agency, working with partners such as the World Health Organization, UNICEF, Médecins Sans Frontières, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has activated a nationwide emergency response framework.
Measures include strengthening surveillance, deploying rapid response teams to high-burden areas, training healthcare workers, distributing protective equipment, and intensifying contact tracing and community awareness campaigns.
Treatment centres have also been supplied with essential medicines such as Ribavirin and other materials needed for patient care.
Despite these interventions, challenges such as late presentation of cases, high treatment costs, poor sanitation, and low public awareness continue to hinder progress.
Health authorities are calling on state governments to intensify community engagement, while urging healthcare workers to remain vigilant and strictly follow infection control protocols.
Lassa fever is a viral haemorrhagic illness primarily transmitted through exposure to food or household items contaminated by infected rodents, and sustained coordinated efforts remain crucial to reducing its impact across the country.