By Ruth Akpan
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has reported 190 deaths from Lassa fever in 2026, warning that the disease’s case fatality rate has risen above figures recorded during the same period in 2025, raising fresh concerns over the severity of the outbreak and the country’s public health response.
This was disclosed in its latest Lassa Fever Situation Report for Epidemiological Week 17, covering 20 to 26 April 2026.
The agency said the case fatality rate, CFR, stood at 25.2 per cent, compared to 19.1 per cent recorded within the same period in 2025.
NCDC revealed that confirmed infections dropped from 29 cases recorded in Epidemiological Week 16 to nine cases in Week 17.
The agency stated that 23 states have reported at least one confirmed case in 2026, affecting 105 local government areas nationwide, noting that five states; Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Benue, and Edo accounted for 84 per cent of all confirmed infections recorded so far this year.
According to the NCDC, response operations are ongoing across the country in partnership with state governments and international health organisations, including the World Health Organization, Medecins Sans Frontieres, UNICEF, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and ALIMA.
As part of efforts to curb the outbreak, the agency said 62 infection prevention and control focal persons from treatment centres in Ebonyi and Ondo states received specialised training.
It also disclosed that Incident Management Systems were activated in Oyo, Kebbi, Kano, Gombe, Benue, and Plateau states to improve coordination of emergency response activities.
The NCDC further explained that community engagement and awareness programmes were carried out with traditional and religious leaders in Edo and Ondo states, alongside sensitisation campaigns targeting farmers and market women in Ondo.
Other measures implemented include the distribution of personal protective equipment to health facilities, intensified contact tracing and active case searches in heavily affected states, as well as integrated case management training conducted in Taraba State.
The agency added that it has developed a 30-day protection plan aimed at reducing infections among frontline healthcare workers in endemic areas.
Despite these interventions, the NCDC identified several persistent obstacles undermining outbreak control efforts. These include late presentation of patients, poor sanitation in affected communities, inadequate public awareness, and the high cost of treatment and clinical care.
The agency stressed that delayed treatment remains a major factor contributing to the increasing fatality rate.
The NCDC urged state governments to maintain continuous awareness campaigns and community engagement programmes on Lassa fever prevention throughout the year.
It also advised healthcare workers to remain vigilant, ensure early referrals of suspected cases, and strictly observe infection prevention and control protocols.
The agency further called on stakeholders and development partners to strengthen state-level preparedness for early detection and swift response to outbreaks.