Lassa fever death toll hits 191 – NCDC

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has expressed concern over the increasing number of deaths from Lassa fever, blaming delayed treatment and poor health-seeking behaviour for the worsening outbreak across the country.

In its latest Lassa Fever Situation Report for Epidemiological Week 18, covering April 27 to May 3, 2026, the agency said 191 deaths have been recorded so far this year, with the case fatality rate rising to 24.6 per cent, compared to 19.2 per cent during the same period in 2025.

The NCDC said confirmed infections rose from nine cases in Week 17 to 22 cases in Week 18, with new cases reported in Ondo, Edo and Plateau states.

The agency said 23 states and 106 local government areas have recorded confirmed cases in 2026, with Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Benue and Edo accounting for 84 per cent of all infections nationwide.

The report noted that young adults between the ages of 21 and 30 remain the most affected group, while one additional healthcare worker was infected during the reporting week.

The NCDC identified late presentation at health facilities, poor awareness in affected communities, weak environmental sanitation and the high cost of treatment as major factors driving the increasing death rate.

To contain the outbreak, the agency said it has intensified surveillance, healthcare worker protection and community sensitisation efforts in affected states.

It disclosed that 62 infection prevention and control focal persons were trained in Ebonyi and Ondo states with support from the World Health Organisation (WHO), while Incident Management Systems were activated in Oyo, Benue, Plateau, Kebbi, Kano and Gombe states to strengthen emergency response.

The agency also carried out awareness campaigns in Ondo and Edo states involving traditional and religious leaders, farmers and market women.

According to the NCDC, a 30-day healthcare worker protection plan supported by WHO and the United States Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (US CDC) has also been developed to reduce infections among frontline medical personnel.(daily trust)