Lassa Fever: 4 States Record 31 New Cases As Death Toll Hits 221

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed 31 new cases of Lassa fever in four states, pushing the country’s cumulative caseload to 922 and the death toll to 221.

NCDC’s Lassa Fever Situation Report for Epidemiological Week 26 (June 22–28, 2026), revealed that the new infections were recorded in Ondo, Taraba, Benue and Bauchi states.

The report showed that the number of new confirmed cases increased from 22 in Week 25 to 31 in Week 26, indicating sustained transmission in the country’s major hotspots.

NCDC said a total of 922 confirmed cases and 221 deaths have been recorded so far in 2026, with a case fatality rate (CFR) of 24.0 per cent, compared to 18.7 per cent during the same period in 2025.

It noted that 23 states have reported at least one confirmed case across 111 Local Government Areas, with 85 per cent of all confirmed infections originating from Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Benue and Edo states.

The agency identified adults aged 21 to 30 years as the most affected age group.

The report also revealed that one healthcare worker contracted the disease during the reporting week, highlighting the continued risk faced by frontline health workers managing Lassa fever cases.

A review of the previous two epidemiological weeks showed a steady increase in infections. In Week 24, NCDC recorded 13 new confirmed cases and 216 deaths, while Week 25 recorded 22 new cases, bringing the cumulative death toll to 219 before rising to 221 in Week 26.

Although the case fatality rate declined slightly over the three-week period, from 24.9 per cent in Week 24 to 24.6 per cent in Week 25 and 24.0 per cent in Week 26, it remains significantly higher than the corresponding period in 2025.

NCDC urged Nigerians to maintain proper environmental sanitation, prevent rodents from accessing homes and food storage areas, and seek immediate medical attention if they develop symptoms such as persistent fever, headache, sore throat or unexplained bleeding.

It also advised healthcare workers to adhere strictly to infection prevention and control measures to reduce hospital-based transmission as response efforts continue in affected states