Lassa Fever Fatality Rate Climbs to 24.8% Despite Lower Infections

Nigeria is facing a troubling paradox in its fight against Lassa Fever, according to the latest report from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC). While the number of confirmed weekly cases dropped from 26 to 22, the Case Fatality Rate (CFR) has surged to 24.8%. This means that nearly one in four people diagnosed with the disease this year has died, a significant increase from the 18.8% mortality rate recorded in 2025.

Health experts are concerned that the rising death toll, despite fewer cases, suggests that patients are not seeking medical attention until the disease has reached an advanced, often untreatable stage. There are also concerns about potential "cracks" in disease management and the availability of Ribavirin, the primary antiviral treatment, in remote areas. So far in 2026, Nigeria has recorded 170 deaths from the virus, with the burden concentrated in Ondo, Edo, and Bauchi states.

The NCDC has called for a renewed public awareness campaign to encourage early reporting of symptoms, which include fever, headache, and general body weakness. They are also working with state governments to strengthen laboratory diagnostic capacities to reduce the "turnaround time" for test results. The agency warned that without improved health-seeking behavior, the fatality rate could continue to climb even as the outbreak appears to be subsining.

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