The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) reports that 31 people have died from Lassa fever in the last five weeks.

According to the agency’s Lassa fever situation report, more than 754 suspected cases were registered, with 165 confirmed.

According to the report, nine health personnel had been afflicted.

“In total for 2026, nine states have recorded at least one confirmed case across 33 local government areas,” the report reads.

“Ninety-two (92%) of all confirmed Lassa fever cases were reported from 5 states (Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Edo and Plateau) while eight (8%) were reported from 4 states with confirmed Lassa fever cases. Of the 92% confirmed cases, Bauchi reported 47%, Ondo 18%, Taraba 14%, Edo 8% and Plateau 5%.

“The predominant age group affected is 21-30 years (Range: 1 to 74 years, Median Age: 28 years). The male-to-female ratio for confirmed cases is 1:0.8 (Figure 4).

“The number of suspected and confirmed cases decreased compared to that reported for the same period in 2025.”

The NCDC said that 135 patients were now being handled in treatment facilities, with at least 110 suspected cases undergoing contact tracing and follow-ups.

On its response efforts, the NCDC noted that 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”.

Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic sickness caused by the Lassa virus, which belongs to the arenavirus family. It is an animal-borne, acute viral infection transmitted by the common African rat, also known as the mastomys rat. It is prevalent in Nigeria and other regions of West Africa.

Humans are generally infected by contact with food or household objects contaminated with the urine or faeces of infected mastomys rats.