Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed that 75 people have died from Lassa fever within the first seven weeks of 2026, with Taraba and Bauchi states recording the highest fatalities.
Gatekeepers News reports that in its latest situation report covering epidemiological week seven, February 9 to 15, the agency disclosed that 326 confirmed infections were detected across 16 states and 58 local government areas. The deaths recorded so far translate to a case fatality rate of 23 percent, which is higher than the 19.7 percent reported during the same period in 2025.
Taraba state accounted for 24 deaths, the highest figure nationwide. Bauchi followed with 19 fatalities, while Plateau recorded eight. Ondo, Edo, and Benue each reported five deaths. Ebonyi recorded three, while Nasarawa and Kogi had two deaths each. Kano and Kebbi reported one death apiece.
The agency noted that 84 percent of all confirmed infections were concentrated in four states: Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, and Edo. Bauchi alone accounted for 33 percent of cases, while Ondo recorded 22 percent. Taraba made up 19 percent, and Edo accounted for 10 percent.
Within week seven alone, 82 new confirmed cases and 20 deaths were reported across 14 states. This marked an increase from the 74 confirmed cases documented in the previous week, indicating a rise in transmission.
Data from the report shows that young adults between 21 and 30 years are the most affected age group. However, infections have been recorded in patients ranging from one to 90 years old, with a median age of 30.
NCDC also revealed that five healthcare workers were infected during the reporting period, raising fresh concerns about infection prevention and control practices in medical facilities.
Although the fatality rate has risen, the agency said the total number of suspected and confirmed cases recorded so far in 2026 remains lower than figures from the same timeframe last year.
Lassa fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic illness transmitted mainly through contact with food or household items contaminated by the urine or droppings of infected rodents. Human-to-human transmission can also occur, especially in healthcare settings without proper protective measures.
To strengthen the response, NCDC said the National Lassa Fever multi-partner and multi-sectoral Incident Management System has been activated to coordinate containment efforts at federal, state, and local levels.
