Young adults most affected as Lassa fever hits 20 states — NCDC

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, NCDC, has said young adults between the ages of 21 and 30 are the most affected group in the ongoing Lassa fever outbreak, as the disease has now spread to 20 states across the country.

This was contained in the agency’s Lassa Fever Situation Report for Epidemiological Week 10 (March 2–8, 2026).

According to the report, a total of 40 new confirmed cases were recorded during the week, a decline from the 65 cases reported in the previous week. The infections were reported in Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Benue, Edo, Kogi, Gombe and Cross River states.

The NCDC noted that seven deaths were recorded within the week, with a case fatality rate of 17.5 per cent.

Cumulatively, the country has recorded 516 confirmed cases and 135 deaths as of week 10, with a higher case fatality rate of 26.2 per cent compared to 18.3 per cent recorded within the same period in 2025.

The report further revealed that Lassa fever has affected 20 states and 78 Local Government Areas so far in 2026, with about 85 per cent of confirmed cases concentrated in five states — Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Benue and Edo.

Breakdown of the high-burden states showed that Bauchi accounted for 28 per cent of cases, Ondo 21 per cent, Taraba 19 per cent, Benue nine per cent, and Edo eight per cent.

The NCDC also stated that the predominant age group affected is 21–30 years, with cases recorded across a wide age range from one to 90 years.

It added that no new healthcare worker was infected during the reporting week, highlighting improved infection prevention and control measures in health facilities.

The agency, however, identified late presentation of cases, poor health-seeking behaviour due to high treatment costs, and inadequate environmental sanitation as key challenges fueling the outbreak.

It urged state governments to intensify community engagement and awareness campaigns, while advising healthcare workers to maintain a high index of suspicion and adhere strictly to infection prevention protocols.

The NCDC said it has activated a multi-partner, multi-sectoral Incident Management System to strengthen coordination of response efforts nationwide.