Mirian Gom 
ABUJA, Nigeria – Lassa fever deaths in Nigeria have risen to 224 despite a sharp decline in new infections, with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) warning that the outbreak remains a major public health threat.
In its latest Lassa fever situation report for Epidemiological Week 27 on Friday, the NCDC said the country recorded 14 new confirmed cases, down from 31 in the previous week. The latest infections were reported in Ondo, Edo, Bauchi, Benue and Kogi states. However, the agency said the case fatality rate has increased to 23.9 per cent, compared with 18.9 per cent during the same period in 2025, highlighting the continued severity of the outbreak.
The agency said confirmed infections have been reported in 23 states and 113 local government areas this year, with Ondo (30%), Bauchi (25%), Taraba (14%), Edo (10%) and Benue (6%) accounting for 85 per cent of all confirmed cases. It added that young adults aged 21 to 30 years remain the most affected group, while patients range from one to 93 years, with a median age of 30 years. No healthcare worker was infected during the latest reporting week.
To contain the outbreak, the NCDC said its National Lassa Fever Incident Management System remains activated to coordinate response efforts nationwide. It disclosed that healthcare workers in Bauchi, Taraba, Ondo and Ebonyi states have received training on case management, infection prevention and control, screening and triage. Community awareness campaigns have also been intensified in Edo and Ondo states, targeting religious and traditional leaders, farmers and market women to encourage early healthcare seeking.
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Edino Chubiyo Cornelius 
Abah Felicity