{
  "id": 14375290,
  "title": "Nigeria: Lassa Fever Spreads Across 119 LGAs As Death Toll Hit 268",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/14/nigeria-lassa-fever-spreads-across-119-lgas-as-death-toll-hit-268",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-10-14T05:20:16.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "AllAfrica Health",
    "slug": "allafrica-health",
    "url": "https://allafrica.com/stories/202610140051.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) revealed that the Lassa fever outbreak has expanded to 119 Local Government Areas in 24 states, resulting in 268 deaths and 1,138 confirmed cases. The case fatality rate increased to 23.6 per cent, surpassing the 18.6 per cent rate from the same period in 2025. Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Benue, and Edo states reported 88 per cent of the confirmed cases. The age group most affected is individuals aged 21 to 30 years, but the NCDC reported no new cases among healthcare workers during the analyzed weeks. There were three new confirmed cases in week 40, in Bauchi and Benue states, bringing the total to 1,138 cases and 268 deaths by the end of week 40.",
  "summary": "[Daily Trust] The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has recorded 1,138 confirmed cases of Lassa fever and 268 deaths across 24 states, with the case fatality rate rising to 23.6 per cent.",
  "key_points": [
    "Lassa fever spreads to 119 LGAs in 24 states, with 268 deaths",
    "Case fatality rate rises to 23.6%, up from 18.6% in 2025",
    "Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Benue, and Edo states account for 88% of cases"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The rising fatality rate and widespread geographic expansion signal a worsening public health crisis that disproportionately threatens young adults across several Nigerian states.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}