Deaths from Lassa fever in Nigeria have risen to 258 in 2026, with the case fatality rate increasing to 24 per cent, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).
The latest Lassa Fever Situation Report, covering epidemiological week 35, from August 24 to 30, 2026, recorded 18 new confirmed cases, bringing the total number of confirmed cases this year to 1,074 across 24 states.
The new cases were reported in Ondo, Edo and Bauchi states.
The cumulative case fatality rate (CFR) has risen from 18.6 per cent recorded during the same period in 2025 to 24 per cent this year. The NCDC said 162 deaths were recorded during the corresponding period last year.
The agency noted that the number of new confirmed cases declined from 21 in epidemiological week 34 to 18 in week 35.
“Cumulatively, 258 deaths have been reported with a Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 24.0%, which is higher than the CFR for the same period in 2025 (18.6%),” the NCDC stated.
According to the report, Nigeria has recorded 7,785 suspected Lassa fever cases so far this year, compared with 7,375 during the corresponding period in 2025.
Five states—Ondo, Bauchi, Taraba, Edo and Benue—accounted for 86 per cent of all confirmed cases.
Ondo recorded the highest proportion with 34 per cent, followed by Bauchi with 24 per cent, Taraba with 12 per cent, Edo with 10 per cent and Benue with six per cent.
The NCDC said people aged 21 to 30 years remained the most affected age group. Confirmed cases ranged from one to 93 years, with a median age of 30.
The male-to-female ratio among confirmed cases stood at 1:0.9.
No new infection among healthcare workers was recorded during week 35. However, 54 healthcare workers have been infected cumulatively since the beginning of the year.
The agency said 13 patients were receiving treatment at designated centres during the week, bringing the total number of patients managed at treatment centres this year to 816.
Factors Driving High Fatality Rate
The NCDC attributed the high fatality rate to several factors, including late presentation at health facilities, poor health-seeking behaviour and the high cost of treatment and clinical management.
Other challenges identified by the agency include poor environmental sanitation, inadequate awareness in high-burden communities and infections among healthcare workers.
The NCDC urged continued vigilance and stronger preventive measures, particularly in communities with a high burden of Lassa fever.
