Lassa fever death toll hits 214 as fatality rate rises to 25% (opens original article in a new tab)

Nigeria's Lassa fever outbreak has claimed 214 lives in 2026, with a 25% fatality rate, driven by late treatment and poor health-seeking behavior, according to the NCDC.

• Lassa fever death toll in Nigeria reached 214 in 2026 with a 25% fatality rate.
• 13 new confirmed cases and four deaths were reported in the week of June 1-7, with Ondo, Bauchi, and Taraba states accounting for 84% of cases.
• NCDC attributes rising fatality rate to late treatment, high costs, poor sanitation, and low awareness, but no healthcare workers were infected in the reporting week.