By Imisioluwa Afunmiso
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed 922 cases of Lassa fever and 221 deaths across Nigeria as of Epidemiological Week 26 of 2026, with the disease recording a higher case fatality rate than the corresponding period in 2025.
The latest Lassa Fever Situation Reports for Epidemiological Weeks 24, 25 and 26 released by the agency on Tuesday showed that the case fatality rate (CFR) stands at 24.0 per cent, compared to 18.7 per cent recorded during the same period last year.
According to the NCDC, confirmed infections increased steadily over the three-week reporting period, rising from 13 cases in Week 24 to 22 cases in Week 25 and 31 cases in Week 26.
The agency said the latest confirmed cases were reported in Ondo, Taraba, Benue and Bauchi states.
It disclosed that 23 states have recorded at least one confirmed case across 111 Local Government Areas (LGAs) since the beginning of the year.
The report showed that Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Benue and Edo states accounted for about 85 per cent of all confirmed infections, making them the country’s major hotspots for the disease.
The NCDC also identified persons aged between 21 and 30 years as the most affected age group.
Providing a breakdown of the reports, the agency said Week 24 recorded 13 new confirmed cases in Ondo, Edo, Taraba, Benue and Bauchi states, bringing the cumulative total at the time to 868 confirmed cases and 216 deaths, with a 24.9 per cent case fatality rate. One healthcare worker was also infected during the week.
For Week 25, 22 new confirmed cases were reported from Ondo, Taraba, Benue and Bauchi states, increasing the cumulative figures to 891 confirmed cases and 219 deaths, while the case fatality rate stood at 24.6 per cent. No healthcare worker was infected during the reporting period.
By Week 26, the number of new confirmed cases had risen to 31, bringing the cumulative total to 922 confirmed cases and 221 deaths nationwide. One healthcare worker was infected during the week.
The NCDC said it continues to monitor the outbreak and urged Nigerians to maintain good environmental hygiene, prevent contact with rodents, and seek prompt medical attention if they experience symptoms such as fever, weakness, headache or bleeding.
The agency also encouraged members of the public to report suspected cases through its toll-free emergency line, 6232, and obtain verified public health information through its official communication channels.