Nigeria has recorded 237 Lassa fever deaths from 1,000 confirmed cases so far in 2026, pushing the case fatality rate to 23.7 per cent, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has said.
The figure is higher than the 18.8 per cent fatality rate recorded during the corresponding period in 2025, according to the NCDC’s latest situation report for epidemiological week 30.
While new confirmed cases fell from 20 in week 29 to 17 in week 30, the death toll rose from 231 to 237, underscoring the continuing severity of the outbreak.
The 17 new cases, recorded between July 20 and 26, were reported in Ondo, Bauchi, Edo and Benue states.
The NCDC said 23 states have recorded at least one confirmed case across 116 local government areas.
Ondo, Bauchi, Taraba, Edo and Benue account for 86 per cent of confirmed cases nationwide. Ondo accounts for 32 per cent, followed by Bauchi with 25 per cent, Taraba with 13 per cent, Edo with 10 per cent and Benue with six per cent.
The agency identified late presentation, high treatment costs and poor health-seeking behaviour among factors contributing to the high number of deaths. It also cited poor environmental sanitation in high-burden communities, inadequate awareness and continued infections among healthcare workers.
The NCDC urged Nigerians to seek medical attention promptly when they develop symptoms suggestive of Lassa fever, warning that delayed presentation could worsen outcomes.
“Healthcare workers should maintain high suspicion for Lassa fever and initiate timely referral and treatment, and adhere to standard infection prevention and control procedures,” the agency said.
Young adults aged 21 to 30 account for the largest share of confirmed cases, the report showed. Confirmed patients range from one to 93 years old, with a median age of 30.
One healthcare worker was infected during epidemiological week 30, according to the NCDC.
The agency said it and its partners had developed a 30-day Healthcare Worker Protection Plan to reduce infections among frontline personnel in endemic states. The plan includes infection prevention and control training, the distribution and pre-positioning of personal protective equipment, hand hygiene audits and investigations into healthcare worker infections.
Rapid response teams have also been deployed to seven high-burden states to support containment efforts through case searches, contact tracing, laboratory testing, community engagement and risk communication.
Lassa fever is primarily transmitted through contact with food or household items contaminated with the urine or faeces of infected rodents. Person-to-person transmission can also occur, particularly in healthcare settings with inadequate infection prevention and control measures.
The NCDC said states must strengthen their capacity to prevent, detect and respond promptly to the disease.
