Nigeria’s Lassa fever outbreak has worsened, with 237 deaths recorded from 1,000 confirmed cases so far in 2026, pushing the Case Fatality Rate (CFR) to 23.7 per cent.
The latest situation report by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), covering epidemiological week 30, showed that the fatality rate was significantly higher than the 18.8 per cent recorded during the corresponding period in 2025.
Although newly confirmed cases declined from 20 in week 29 to 17 in week 30, the cumulative death toll rose from 231 to 237, highlighting the continued severity of the outbreak.
The 17 new confirmed cases recorded between July 20 and 26 were reported in Ondo, Bauchi, Edo and Benue states.
According to the NCDC, 23 states have now recorded at least one confirmed case across 116 Local Government Areas, indicating that the disease continues to spread across several parts of the country.
Five states — Ondo, Bauchi, Taraba, Edo and Benue — account for 86 per cent of all confirmed Lassa fever cases recorded nationwide.
Ondo has the highest proportion, accounting for 32 per cent of confirmed cases, followed by Bauchi with 25 per cent, Taraba with 13 per cent, Edo with 10 per cent and Benue with six per cent.
The latest figures come as the NCDC identified late presentation, the high cost of treatment and poor health-seeking behaviour as major factors contributing to the high mortality rate.
The agency also cited poor environmental sanitation in high-burden communities, inadequate public awareness and continued infections among healthcare workers as challenges hampering efforts to control the disease.
The NCDC urged Nigerians to seek medical attention promptly if they develop symptoms suggestive of Lassa fever, warning that delays in seeking care could significantly worsen outcomes.
It also advised healthcare workers to maintain a high index of suspicion for Lassa fever and ensure timely referral and treatment of suspected cases.
