By Peter Omopo
Nigeria has recorded 109 deaths from Lassa fever since the beginning of 2026, according to the latest situation report released by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention.
The report for epidemiological week nine revealed that 65 new confirmed cases were recorded between February 23 and March 1. This represents a decline from the 77 cases reported during the previous week.
The newly confirmed cases were reported across several states including Benue, Ondo, Bauchi, Taraba, Edo, Plateau and Nasarawa.
According to the NCDC, a total of 469 confirmed infections have been recorded so far this year from more than 2,400 suspected cases spread across 18 states and 69 local government areas.
Despite the slight drop in weekly infections, the case fatality rate has risen to 23.2 percent, higher than the 18.7 percent recorded during the same period in 2025.
The health agency also noted that five states—Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Benue and Edo—account for about 86 percent of all confirmed cases nationwide.
The report further indicated that six healthcare workers were infected during the reporting week.
Health authorities said surveillance, contact tracing and treatment measures have been intensified as part of ongoing efforts to contain the outbreak and reduce further spread of the disease.
