LASSA FEVER DEATH TOLL REACHES 259 AS NIGERIA RECORDS 1,086 CONFIRMED CASES

Nigeria has recorded 1,086 confirmed cases of Lassa fever and 259 deaths across 24 states and 118 Local Government Areas in 2026, according to the latest figures released by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention. The figures were contained in the agency’s Lassa Fever Situation Report for epidemiological week 36, covering August 31 to September 6, 2026. During the week under review, 12 new confirmed cases were recorded nationwide, lower than the 18 cases reported in the previous epidemiological week.

The newly confirmed infections were reported in Ondo, Edo and Kogi states, bringing the national total from 1,074 cases at the end of week 35 to 1,086 by week 36. The number of recorded deaths also increased from 258 to 259 within the same period. Although the case fatality rate declined slightly from 24.0 per cent in week 35 to 23.9 per cent in week 36, it remained significantly above the 18.6 per cent recorded during the corresponding period in 2025.

The NCDC said five states — Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Benue and Edo — accounted for 87 per cent of all confirmed Lassa fever cases recorded in 2026 by the end of week 36. The disease has continued to affect several parts of the country, with infections recorded across 24 states and 118 LGAs. People between the ages of 21 and 30 remained the most affected age group, while the agency reported that no new healthcare worker infection was recorded during the latest reporting week.

The figures followed a similar trend recorded in week 35, when 18 new cases were reported in Ondo, Edo and Bauchi states. At that stage, cumulative infections stood at 1,074, with 258 deaths and a case fatality rate of 24.0 per cent. The NCDC said it was continuing surveillance and response activities across affected states, including monitoring confirmed infections, deaths and possible infections among healthcare workers as part of the national effort to control the disease.

Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness that remains endemic in Nigeria, with transmission linked mainly to contact with food or household items contaminated by infected rodents. Person-to-person transmission can also occur through contact with the blood or other body fluids of infected individuals, particularly in healthcare settings. The NCDC continues to monitor the situation across the affected states, with the latest week 36 report bringing the national cumulative figures to 1,086 confirmed cases and 259 deaths.