Lassa fever has killed 146 people in Nigeria so far this year, according to the latest update from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).
The agency disclosed this in its latest situation report for Epidemiological week 11, covering 9 to 15 March.
It said 38 health workers have also been infected this year, highlighting continued risks within healthcare facilities.
According to the report, the case fatality rate now stands at 25.1 per cent, higher than the 18.7 per cent recorded during the same period in 2025.
During the reporting week, confirmed cases rose from 40 in week 10 to 66, with new infections recorded in Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Plateau, Edo, Benue, Kogi, Gombe and Niger states.
Cumulatively, 21 states and 82 local government areas have reported at least one confirmed case in 2026.
The NCDC noted that five states, Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Benue, and Edo, account for 85 per cent of all confirmed cases.
Bauchi leads with 28 per cent, followed by Ondo with 21 per cent, Taraba with 20 per cent, while Benue and Edo each account for eight per cent. The remaining 15 per cent are spread across 16 states.
It added that young adults aged 21 to 30 years remain the most affected group, although cases have been recorded across all age ranges, from one to 90 years.
Despite the rise in weekly infections, no new cases among health workers were recorded in week 11. However, the cumulative figure of 38 infections among frontline workers highlights gaps in infection prevention and control.
The NCDC said although suspected and confirmed cases are lower compared to the same period in 2025, the high death rate suggests continued challenges with late presentation and case management.
It added that a national multi-partner Incident Management System has been activated to coordinate response efforts across affected states.
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