NCDC records rise in Lassa Fever cases as death toll hits 229

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported an increase in confirmed Lassa Fever cases, with the total number of infections rising to 963 and the death toll reaching 229 in 2026. This surge follows a brief decline observed in epidemiological week 27.

According to the NCDC's situation report, new confirmed cases dropped from 31 in week 26 to 14 in week 27, but then increased to 25 in week 28. This fluctuation indicates the continued transmission of the virus across affected states. Cases in week 28 were reported in Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Kogi, and Cross River states.

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This indicated continued transmission across affected states.

The cumulative data reveals that as of week 28, Nigeria had recorded 963 confirmed cases and 229 deaths. The case fatality rate stands at 23.8 percent, which is higher than the 18.7 percent recorded during the same period in 2025. Similarly, for week 27, the country reported 936 confirmed cases and 224 deaths, with a case fatality rate of 23.9 percent, also exceeding the previous year's rate.

Lassa Fever has now affected 23 states, spreading across 114 local government areas by week 28. The majority of confirmed infections are concentrated in Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Benue, and Edo states, representing 86 percent of cases. Young adults aged 21 to 30 years remain the most affected demographic. While no healthcare worker infections were reported in week 27, one contracted the disease in week 28. The NCDC urges continued surveillance, early detection, prompt treatment, and community awareness to combat the outbreak.

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For week 27, the country recorded 936 confirmed cases and 224 deaths, representing a case fatality rate of 23.9 percent, also higher than the 18.9 percent reported during the corresponding period in 2025.