According to the latest situation report released by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), the 51 deaths from confirmed cases translate to a Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 21.3 per cent. This marks an increase from the 19.4 per cent CFR recorded during the same period in 2025, raising concerns among public health authorities despite a reduction in overall infections compared to last year.
Week-on-Week Spike in Confirmed Cases
The report highlighted a noticeable rise in confirmed infections between epidemiological week five and week six. Confirmed cases climbed from 44 in week five to 74 in week six, reflecting a sharp week-on-week increase.
Within the latest reporting week alone, 74 confirmed cases emerged from 271 suspected cases, resulting in 15 deaths and a weekly CFR of 20.3 per cent.
In addition, two healthcare workers were infected in week six, underscoring the occupational risks faced by frontline responders and the need for reinforced infection prevention and control measures in health facilities.
National Spread Across States and LGAs
Cumulative data for 2026 show that 1,034 suspected cases, 240 confirmed cases, and four probable cases have been reported across 10 states and 42 Local Government Areas (LGAs).
By comparison, during the same period in 2025, the country recorded 1,913 suspected cases, 413 confirmed cases, and 80 deaths across 11 states and 63 LGAs. Although the number of suspected and confirmed cases has declined this year, the higher fatality rate signals more severe outcomes among those infected.
The newly confirmed cases in week six were reported from eight states—Taraba, Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, and Ebonyi—affecting 24 LGAs.
Further breakdown of cumulative figures indicates that 89 per cent of confirmed cases in 2026 are concentrated in four states: Bauchi, Taraba, Ondo, and Edo. Bauchi accounts for the largest share at 38 per cent, followed by Taraba with 22 per cent, Ondo with 20 per cent, and Edo with nine per cent. The remaining 11 per cent of cases were recorded across six other states.
Demographic Pattern of Infection
Analysis of affected age groups shows that individuals between 21 and 30 years are the most impacted, within a broader age range of one to 74 years. The median age of confirmed cases stands at 29 years.
The male-to-female ratio among confirmed cases is 1:0.7, indicating a slightly higher prevalence among males.
National Response Measures
In response to the evolving outbreak, the NCDC confirmed that the National Lassa Fever multi-partner, multi-sectoral Incident Management System has been activated. The system is designed to strengthen coordination of surveillance, case management, risk communication, and logistics support at national and subnational levels.
Public health authorities continue to emphasize early detection, prompt treatment, and adherence to infection prevention protocols as critical measures to curb fatalities and prevent further spread of the disease.