75 Deaths from Lassa Fever in Nigeria Over Seven Weeks

According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), a total of 75 deaths from Lassa fever were recorded within a seven-week period, specifically from February 9 to February 15, 2026. The report, published on a Tuesday, indicates that there were 82 confirmed cases of Lassa fever during this timeframe, marking an increase from 74 cases in the previous week.

The case fatality ratio rose to 23.0 percent, up from 19.7 percent in the same period in 2025. The states most affected include Bauchi, Ondo, Gombe, Nasarawa, Kogi, Edo, Kano, Ebonyi, Kaduna, Taraba, Plateau, and Benue, with 14 states reporting confirmed cases across 58 local government areas.

The NCDC noted that 84 percent of the confirmed cases were concentrated in Bauchi, Taraba, Ondo, and Edo states. Additionally, 251 Lassa fever patients were treated, and 291 contacts were listed for tracing.

The NCDC has deployed rapid response teams to manage the situation in Kebbi, Kano, and Gombe states.