Nigeria is grappling with a surge in Lassa fever cases, with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) reporting 109 deaths as of March 2026. The country has recorded 2,446 suspected cases and 469 confirmed cases, with a case fatality rate of 23.2%, higher than the 18.7% reported during the same period in 2025 ¹.
The affected states, Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Edo, and Benue, account for 84% of confirmed cases. Healthcare workers are also at risk, with 37 infections reported this year. The NCDC attributes the rising fatalities to late presentation of cases, poor health-seeking behavior, and inadequate awareness in high-burden communities.
The agency has activated a multi-partner Incident Management System to coordinate response efforts nationwide, including active case search, contact tracing, and distribution of personal protective equipment to health facilities. Rapid response teams have been deployed to affected states to strengthen containment measures ¹ ².
To combat the outbreak, the NCDC urges state governments to intensify contact tracing, public awareness, and infection prevention and control measures. Citizens are advised to store food in rodent-proof containers, keep homes clean, and seek medical care immediately if symptoms persist ².
