The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has raised concerns over a fresh increase in Lassa fever infections across the country, with confirmed cases climbing to 922 and the death toll reaching 221 by the end of Epidemiological Week 26.
The latest Lassa Fever Situation Report released by the agency showed that new confirmed cases rose steadily over the three-week period, increasing from 13 cases in Week 24 to 22 in Week 25 before surging to 31 cases in Week 26.
The agency said the latest infections were
reported from Ondo, Taraba, Benue and Bauchi states, while the five states of Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Benue and Edo continued to account for 85 per cent of all confirmed cases recorded nationwide.
The report further revealed that as of Week 26, 23 states and 111 local government areas had recorded at least one confirmed case of the disease this year.
NCDC noted that although the Case Fatality Rate (CFR) slightly declined from 24.9 per cent in Week 24 to 24.0 per cent in Week 26, it remains significantly higher than the 18.7 per cent recorded during the corresponding period in 2025.
According to the report, “The total number of
new confirmed cases increased from 22 in Epidemiological Week 25 to 31 in Week 26.”
It added that, “Cumulatively, as of Week 26, 922 confirmed cases and 221 deaths have been recorded, representing a Case Fatality Rate of 24.0 per cent.”
The agency also disclosed that young adults between the ages of 21 and 30 years remain the most affected age group.
The report further indicated that one healthcare worker contracted the disease during Week 26 after another healthcare worker had been infected in Week 24, while no healthcare worker infection was recorded in Week 25.
Despite the persistent transmission, the NCDC said it continues to coordinate the national response through surveillance, laboratory diagnosis, case management, risk communication and community engagement in collaboration with state governments and partners.
The agency urged Nigerians to adopt preventive measures by maintaining proper environmental sanitation, storing food items in rodent-proof containers, avoiding contact with rats and seeking immediate medical attention when symptoms such as persistent fever, weakness, headache, sore throat or unexplained bleeding occur.
It also advised healthcare workers to maintain strict infection prevention and control measures while attending to suspected cases.
The NCDC reaffirmed its commitment to containing the outbreak and encouraged members of the public to report suspected cases promptly through its toll-free emergency line, stressing that early detection and treatment remain critical to improving survival outcomes