The Lassa fever epidemic in Nigeria has resulted in 229 deaths so far this year. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) recently identified a notable increase in transmission, noting 25 new infections across five states within a single week. Data from Epidemiological Week 28 indicates that confirmed cases grew from 14 in the previous week to 25, with occurrences reported in Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Kogi, and Cross River states.
Total figures from the start of the year through week 28 show 963 confirmed cases out of 6,554 suspected infections. The current case fatality rate is 23.8 percent, which exceeds the 18.7 percent rate observed during a comparable period in 2025. Among the new cases, one healthcare worker was infected, highlighting the ongoing dangers faced by medical staff. Currently, 23 states and 114 Local Government Areas have identified at least one case, with Ondo, Bauchi, Taraba, Edo, and Benue responsible for 86 percent of national infections.
Ondo State accounts for 31 percent of all confirmed cases, followed by Bauchi at 25 percent. The disease disproportionately impacts young adults, particularly those between 21 and 30 years old, though patients range from one to 93 years of age. The NCDC identifies late hospital arrivals, expensive treatment costs, insufficient sanitation, and limited public knowledge as primary contributors to the high mortality rate.
In response, the NCDC has activated a multi-partner Incident Management System to oversee surveillance and clinical management. Recent efforts include training medical staff with international partners, deploying rapid response teams to high-burden states, and distributing protective equipment. A 30-day protection plan for healthcare workers has also been launched. Health officials continue to stress that immediate medical evaluation for fever symptoms is essential to improving survival outcomes.
