Nigeria’s Lassa fever outbreak has claimed 221 lives so far this year, with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention reporting a renewed surge in infections over the past three weeks.
Confirmed cases climbed steadily from 13 in epidemiological Week 24 to 22 in Week 25 and 31 in Week 26, bringing the cumulative 2026 total to 922 confirmed cases by late June. The case fatality rate now stands at 24%, notably higher than the 18.7% recorded during the same period last year.
The disease has spread across 23 states and one hundred and eleven local government areas, with Ondo, Bauchi, Taraba, Edo and Benue states accounting for 85% of all confirmed cases. Young adults aged 21 to 30 remain the most affected group, and at least two healthcare workers have been infected in the past three weeks.
The NCDC has activated its multi-sectoral Incident Management System and is urging Nigerians to maintain rodent-proof food storage, avoid contact with rat droppings, and seek prompt medical attention for symptoms including fever, weakness and unexplained bleeding.
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