Nigeria's Lassa Fever Fatality Rate Rises Amidst Declining Cases

Nigeria is grappling with a severe Lassa fever outbreak in 2026, with a significantly higher case fatality rate (CFR) of 25.2% compared to 18.5% in 2025, despite a recent decline in new confirmed cases. As of epidemiological week 14, 170 deaths have been recorded nationwide. The outbreak has spread across 22 states and 94 local government areas, with Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Edo, and Benue bearing the highest burden. Young adults aged 21-30 are the most affected demographic. Challenges include late presentation of cases, poor health-seeking behavior, high treatment costs, poor environmental sanitation, and low awareness. The Nigeria===Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, in collaboration with partners like the World Health Organization, UNICEF, Médecins Sans Frontières, and the United States===Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has activated a national multi-partner Incident Management System to coordinate response efforts, including surveillance, contact tracing, public awareness campaigns, and healthcare worker protection plans. The Nigeria===Government of Lagos State and Nigeria===Oyo State Government have also initiated their own response measures, with Lagos launching a statewide awareness campaign and Oyo confirming a death and activating its emergency response.