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The Digest:

Nigeria has recorded 146 deaths from Lassa fever between January and mid-March 2026, with a case fatality rate of 25.1 percent, significantly higher than the 18.7 percent recorded during the same period in 2025. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention also reported that 38 health workers have been infected so far this year, highlighting persistent gaps in infection prevention. Cumulatively, 21 states and 82 local government areas have recorded at least one confirmed case, with Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Benue, and Edo accounting for 85 percent of infections.

Key Points:
  • Five states, Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Benue, and Edo, account for 85% of all confirmed cases.
  • Young adults aged 21 to 30 years remain the most affected group.
  • Health worker infections are attributed to inadequate PPE use, low suspicion during early patient contact, and weak infection control practices.
  • Challenges hindering control include poor health-seeking behavior, high treatment costs, low awareness, and poor environmental sanitation.
  • The national multi-partner Incident Management System has been activated to coordinate response efforts.

As Lassa fever continues to spread across 21 states, the high fatality rate and rising infections among health workers underscore the urgent need for improved awareness, infection control, and early case management.

Sources: Premium Times