Lassa Fever Death Toll Reaches 170 in Nigeria in 2026

According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Lassa fever has claimed 170 lives in Nigeria from January 1 to the first week of April 2026. The report covering the week of March 30 to April 5, 2026, indicates a total of 22 confirmed cases, a decrease from 26 cases reported in week 13 of 2026.

The cumulative number of cases recorded by the NCDC for week 14 includes these 22 confirmed cases, resulting in a case fatality rate of 24.8%, which is higher than the 18.8% recorded during the same period in 2025. A total of 22 states have reported at least one confirmed case across 94 local government areas, with 84% of the confirmed cases originating from Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Benue, and Edo states.

The age group most affected remains between 21 and 30 years, and there were no new healthcare worker infections reported in week 14.