…NCDC flags growing concern over infections, delayed treatmentBy Chioma Obinna
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, (NCDC) on Monday disclosed that the country’s Lassa fever outbreak has claimed 214 lives so far in 2026, with the fatality rate rising to 25 per cent.
The report for Epidemiological Week 23, covering June 1 to 7, showed that 13 new confirmed cases and four fresh deaths were recorded across Edo, Ondo, Bauchi and Ebonyi states, keeping the weekly infection figure at the same level as the previous week but with a higher death toll.
Cumulatively, the NCDC said Nigeria has recorded 855 confirmed cases from 5,652 suspected infections across 23 states and 109 local government areas, reflecting a steady rise in the outbreak’s spread.
The agency noted that the current fatality rate of 25 per cent is significantly higher than the 18.9 per cent recorded within the same period in 2025, when 143 deaths were reported from 758 confirmed cases.
