Lassa Fever Cases Rise in Nigeria, Death Toll Reaches 229

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) reported an increase in confirmed Lassa fever cases during epidemiological week 28, following a decline in week 27. As of this week, cumulative confirmed infections rose to 963, with deaths reaching 229 in 2026.

The NCDC's statement indicated that new confirmed cases decreased from 31 in week 26 to 14 in week 27, before increasing to 25 in week 28, suggesting ongoing transmission in affected states. Cases in week 28 were reported in Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Kogi, and Cross River, while week 27 saw cases in Ondo, Edo, Benue, Bauchi, and Kogi.

The case fatality rate was 23.8 percent in week 28, compared to 18.7 percent in the same period in 2025. The disease has spread across 113 local government areas in week 27, increasing to 114 in week 28, with the majority of infections concentrated in Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Benue, and Edo.

The NCDC urged continued surveillance and community awareness to mitigate transmission and prevent further deaths.