Mirian Gom 
ABUJA, Nigeria – The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has raised alarm over rising deaths linked to Lassa fever, warning that delayed treatment and poor healthcare-seeking behaviour are worsening the outbreak across the country.
In its latest epidemiological report covering April 27 to May 3, 2026, the agency disclosed that 191 deaths have already been recorded this year, pushing the case fatality rate to 24.6 per cent, significantly higher than the 19.2 per cent reported during the same period in 2025.
The report showed confirmed infections increased from nine cases in Week 17 to 22 cases in Week 18, with new infections reported in Ondo, Edo and Plateau states.
According to the NCDC, at least 23 states and 106 local government areas have recorded confirmed cases in 2026, with Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Benue and Edo accounting for 84 per cent of infections nationwide.
The agency noted that adults aged between 21 and 30 years remain the most affected demographic.
It also disclosed that one additional healthcare worker contracted the disease during the reporting period, underscoring persistent risks facing frontline medical personnel.
The NCDC attributed the rising fatality rate to delayed hospital presentations, weak public awareness, poor environmental sanitation and the high cost of treatment.
In response, the agency said it has intensified emergency measures, including surveillance expansion, contact tracing, healthcare worker protection and community sensitisation campaigns in high-burden states.
Incident Management Systems have also been activated in Oyo, Benue, Plateau, Kebbi, Kano and Gombe states to strengthen outbreak coordination.
The agency further announced the development of a 30-day healthcare worker protection plan in partnership with the World Health Organization and the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Lassa fever is a viral haemorrhagic disease transmitted mainly through contact with food or surfaces contaminated by infected rodents.
About the Author
Edino Chubiyo Cornelius 
Korede Abdullah