The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Thursday said Nigeria is recording an increase in Lassa fever fatality rate.
This is despite a decline in weekly confirmed cases, raising fresh concerns over disease management nationwide.
The agency stated in its Epidemiological Week 14 report for 2026 Wednesday that confirmed cases dropped from 26 in the previous week to 22, while the case fatality rate rose significantly.
It said the Case Fatality Rate increased to 24.8 per cent, compared with 18.8 per cent recorded during the same period in 2025, indicating worsening outcomes despite fewer infections.
It said cumulatively, Nigeria had recorded 170 deaths from Lassa fever in 2026, underscoring persistent challenges related to early detection, timely treatment, and health-seeking behaviour across affected communities nationwide.
The report showed that 22 states and 94 local government areas had reported confirmed cases in 2026, with five states accounting for about 84 per cent of total infections recorded.
It said the states included Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Edo, and Benue, which continued to bear the highest burden of the disease, reflecting the regional concentration of infections and transmission patterns.
The agency said Bauchi recorded the highest burden with 27 per cent of confirmed cases, followed by Ondo with 22 per cent, Taraba with 18 per cent, Edo with nine per cent, and Benue.
Other affected states included Plateau, Ebonyi, and Kogi, among others, highlighting the continued geographic spread of Lassa fever across multiple regions despite ongoing nationwide surveillance and response efforts. (NAN)