No fewer than 31 people have died from Lassa fever in Nigeria, with more than 754 suspected cases recorded across 33 local government areas in nine states, according to data from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
The report also revealed that nine health workers have been affected by the disease in the first five weeks of 2026, raising concerns over the safety of frontline medical personnel.
Nigeria continues to grapple with recurrent Lassa fever outbreaks amid fears that inadequate health sector funding could hamper prevention and response efforts.
Lassa fever is an acute viral illness transmitted by the Mastomys rat, commonly known as the African rat. The disease is endemic to Nigeria and other parts of West Africa and has seen a rising number of cases since the major outbreak in 2016.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness caused by the Lassa virus, a member of the arenavirus family. Humans usually become infected through exposure to food or household items contaminated with the urine or faeces of infected Mastomys rats.
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“Person-to-person infections and laboratory transmission can also occur, particularly in healthcare settings in the absence of adequate infection prevention and control measures.”
The NCDC reported that “In total for 2026, nine states have recorded at least one confirmed case across 33 local government areas. Ninety-two per cent of all confirmed Lassa fever cases were reported from five states: Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Edo, and Plateau, while eight per cent were reported from four other states with confirmed cases.”
The health agency provided further details, noting that 135 patients are currently receiving care at treatment centres, with at least 110 suspected cases undergoing contact tracing and follow-ups.
On its response measures, the NCDC said it had “conducted a high-level field mission to Bauchi State; activated the Incident Management System of the National Lassa Fever Emergency Operations Centre; analysed samples across the laboratory network to guide prompt diagnosis and treatment; and advocated for a budget line to support field activities for Lassa fever prevention and control.”