The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention says Nigeria has recorded 214 Lassa fever deaths as of Week 23 of 2026.

In its situation report for Week 23, covering June 1 to 7, the NCDC said the country recorded 855 confirmed cases and 214 deaths, a case fatality rate of 25.0 per cent, higher than the 18.9 per cent recorded over the same period in 2025.

The report said 23 states had recorded at least one confirmed case across 109 Local Government Areas, with 84 per cent of cases concentrated in Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Benue and Edo. The most affected age group was 21 to 30 years. No new healthcare worker infections were recorded in Week 23.

The center said it was working with partners including the World Health Organization, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, UNICEF and Médecins Sans Frontières on infection prevention training, case searches, contact tracing and laboratory testing. It cited late presentation, poor health seeking behavior, high treatment costs, weak sanitation and low awareness as key challenges, urging stronger community engagement and timely referral of suspected cases.