Six Health Workers Contract Lassa Fever in Nigeria

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) reported that six health workers contracted Lassa fever in one week, specifically from February 23 to March 1, 2026. This is part of an ongoing battle against the viral hemorrhagic disease, with a cumulative total of 37 healthcare workers infected in 2026.

During the same week, Nigeria recorded 65 confirmed cases of Lassa fever, a slight decline from the 77 cases reported the previous week. The confirmed cases were noted in states including Benue, Ondo, Bauchi, Taraba, Edo, Plateau, and Nasarawa.

The report also highlighted 460 suspected cases and nine deaths among confirmed cases, resulting in a case fatality rate of 13.9%. Cumulatively, the NCDC has recorded 2,446 suspected cases and 469 confirmed cases of Lassa fever in 2026, with 109 deaths reported so far, leading to an overall case fatality rate of 23.2%.

The NCDC attributes the increase in fatalities partly to late presentation of cases and poor health-seeking behavior in communities.