Nigeria has recorded 258 deaths from Lassa fever in 2026, with the case fatality rate rising to 24 per cent despite a decline in new confirmed cases during epidemiological week 35.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), in its latest situation report covering August 24 to 30, said 18 new confirmed cases were recorded in Ondo, Edo and Bauchi states, bringing the year’s total to 1,074 cases across 24 states.
The latest figure represents a decline from the 21 confirmed cases recorded in week 34. However, the cumulative fatality rate remains significantly higher than the 18.6 per cent recorded during the same period in 2025, when 162 deaths were reported.
So far this year, the NCDC said 7,785 suspected cases have been reported, compared with 7,375 during the corresponding period last year.
Five states — Ondo, Bauchi, Taraba, Edo and Benue — accounted for 86 per cent of all confirmed cases. Ondo recorded the highest share at 34 per cent, followed by Bauchi with 24 per cent, Taraba 12 per cent, Edo 10 per cent and Benue six per cent.
People aged 21 to 30 remain the most affected age group, although confirmed cases have ranged from one to 93 years, with a median age of 30. The male-to-female ratio was 1:0.9.
No new healthcare worker infection was reported during week 35, although 54 healthcare workers have been infected cumulatively this year.
The NCDC said 13 patients were being managed at treatment centres during the reporting week, bringing the cumulative number treated at such centres to 816.
The agency identified late presentation, poor health-seeking behaviour and the high cost of treatment and clinical management as major factors contributing to the high fatality rate.
Other challenges include poor environmental sanitation, inadequate awareness in high-burden communities and infections among healthcare workers.
The NCDC said it was strengthening surveillance, case management, infection prevention and control, contact tracing and community engagement in affected states.
National Rapid Response Teams have been deployed to seven high-burden states, while personal protective equipment and other infection-prevention supplies have been distributed to health facilities.
The agency has also developed a 30-day Healthcare Worker Protection Plan for Lassa fever with support from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The plan is aimed at reducing infections among frontline healthcare workers in affected states.
The NCDC urged states to sustain community engagement throughout the year and strengthen their capacity to prevent, detect and respond promptly to infections.
It also advised healthcare workers to maintain a high index of suspicion for Lassa fever, ensure timely referral and treatment, and strictly follow infection-prevention and control measures.
“Healthcare workers should continue to maintain high suspicion for Lassa fever and initiate timely referral and treatment and adhere to standard infection prevention and control procedures,” the agency said.
The NCDC further called for improved environmental sanitation and public awareness, particularly in communities with a high burden of the disease.
