At least 167 people have died from Lassa fever in Nigeria within the first three months of 2026, with Taraba, Ondo and Benue States among the hardest-hit, according to the latest Situation Report released by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).
- +Taraba, Ondo, Benue lead as Lassa fever kills 167 in three months
Data for epidemiological week 13, covering March 23 to 29, 2026 showed that while the number of new confirmed infections declined, the cumulative death toll and fatality worsened.
Data for epidemiological week 13, covering March 23 to 29, 2026 showed that while the number of new confirmed infections declined, the cumulative death toll and fatality worsened.
The NCDC said 26 new confirmed cases were recorded during the week, down from 51 reported in the previous week. The new infections were spread across Edo, Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Ebonyi, Benue and Kaduna States.
Despite the weekly drop, the overall fatality rate has risen. The Agency reported a Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 25.2% so far in 2026, significantly higher than the 18.5% recorded during the same period in 2025.
The NCDC also noted that both suspected and confirmed cases had increased compared with the same period last year, suggesting a more intense outbreak cycle in 2026.
A breakdown of deaths shows Taraba State leading with 41 fatalities, followed by Ondo State with 37 and Bauchi State with 29. Benue State has recorded 12 deaths, while Plateau State reported 11 and Edo State 10. Other affected States include Ebonyi State with eight deaths, Kogi State with five, Gombe State with four, and Nasarawa State with three. Kaduna State and Jigawa State recorded two deaths each, while Katsina State and Kano State reported one death apiece.
The report indicated that Lassa fever had spread to 22 States and 93 Local Goernment Areas this year, underlining the widening geographic footprint of the outbreak.
Five States account for the bulk of infections. According to the NCDC, 85% of all confirmed cases were recorded in Bauchi State, Ondo State, Taraba State, Edo State and Benue State. Bauchi alone contributed 28 percent of total confirmed cases, followed by Ondo with 22%, Taraba 18%, Edo 9% and Benue 8%. The remaining 15% of cases were distributed across 17 other States.
Young adults remain the most affected demographic, with individuals aged 21 to 30 accounting for the highest number of confirmed infections.
In response to the rising burden, the Agency said the national Lassa fever multi-partner, multi-sectoral Incident Management System had been activated to strengthen coordination of response efforts across Federal, State and Local levels.
