RismadarVoice Reporters, July 25, 2026
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported a fresh increase in confirmed Lassa fever cases, with the country’s death toll rising to 229 in 2026.
According to the agency’s latest Lassa Fever Situation Report released on Friday, confirmed cases increased from 14 in epidemiological week 27 to 25 in week 28, after an earlier decline from 31 cases recorded in week 26.
The NCDC said the resurgence indicates that transmission of the disease remains active across affected states.
The new cases were reported in Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Kogi and Cross River states, while week 27 cases were recorded in Ondo, Edo, Benue, Bauchi and Kogi.
As of epidemiological week 28, Nigeria has recorded 963 confirmed Lassa fever infections and 229 deaths, giving a case fatality rate of 23.8 per cent, higher than the 18.7 per cent recorded during the same period in 2025.
The agency noted that 23 states have reported at least one confirmed case, with the number of affected local government areas increasing from 113 in week 27 to 114 in week 28.
It added that Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Benue and Edo states accounted for about 86 per cent of all confirmed cases, making them the country’s hardest-hit states.
The report also showed that people between the ages of 21 and 30 remain the most affected age group. No healthcare worker was infected in week 27; one healthcare worker contracted the disease in week 28.
The NCDC urged Nigerians to support surveillance efforts, report suspected cases early, seek prompt treatment, maintain strict infection-prevention measures, and sustain community awareness to curb the spread of the disease and reduce fatalities.
