The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) is urging Nigerians to strengthen preventive measures after confirming 31 new cases of Lassa fever in four states during Epidemiological Week 26. The latest infections, recorded between June 22 and 28, 2026, have pushed the country’s total confirmed cases this year to 922, with 221 deaths, underscoring the need for heightened public awareness and early medical intervention.

According to the agency’s latest situation report, the new cases were identified in Ondo, Taraba, Benue and Bauchi states. The figures represent an increase from the 22 infections reported in the previous week, suggesting that transmission remains active in parts of the country. Overall, 23 states have now reported confirmed cases across 111 Local Government Areas.

The NCDC said the disease continues to be concentrated in a handful of states, with Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Benue and Edo accounting for about 85 per cent of all confirmed infections recorded so far in 2026. Health officials also identified adults between the ages of 21 and 30 as the group most affected by the outbreak, a trend that could help guide targeted public health interventions.

The report also highlighted the continued occupational risk faced by frontline medical personnel, revealing that one healthcare worker contracted the disease during the reporting week. The development reinforces the importance of strict infection prevention and control measures in health facilities where suspected and confirmed Lassa fever patients are managed.

Data released by the NCDC show that the outbreak has followed a gradual upward trend in recent weeks. Confirmed infections rose from 13 in Week 24 to 22 in Week 25 before increasing to 31 in Week 26. During the same period, the cumulative death toll climbed from 216 to 219 and now stands at 221.

Although the case fatality rate has declined slightly over the past three weeks, the agency noted that it remains a major concern. The fatality rate dropped from 24.9 per cent in Week 24 to 24.6 per cent in Week 25 and 24.0 per cent in Week 26. Even with that improvement, the current rate remains significantly higher than the 18.7 per cent recorded during the corresponding period in 2025.

As part of its public health advisory, the NCDC called on residents to reduce exposure to rodents by maintaining clean surroundings and ensuring that food items are properly stored. The agency also advised anyone experiencing symptoms such as persistent fever, headache, sore throat or unexplained bleeding to seek prompt medical attention, stressing that early diagnosis and treatment improve survival chances.

The public health agency said response efforts remain ongoing in affected states and appealed to healthcare workers to continue observing established infection prevention protocols to minimise hospital-based transmission. With sustained community awareness and strict adherence to preventive measures, the NCDC believes the spread of Lassa fever can be reduced while protecting both the public and frontline health personnel.