Lassa Fever Kills 263 in Nigeria as Fatality Rate Hits 23.6%

Nigeria recorded 263 deaths from Lassa fever among confirmed cases during the first 38 epidemiological weeks of 2026, as the case fatality rate rose to 23.6 per cent from 18.5 per cent during the same period in 2025, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).

The figures were contained in the NCDC’s Lassa Fever Situation Report for Epidemiological Week 38, covering September 14–20, 2026. The report documented 1,115 confirmed cases, six probable cases and 8,218 suspected cases nationwide.

The 263 deaths recorded in 2026 represent an increase from the 168 deaths reported during the corresponding period in 2025, when Nigeria recorded 906 confirmed cases.

Ondo, Bauchi and Three Other States Account for 87% of Cases

The NCDC reported confirmed Lassa fever cases across 24 states and 119 local government areas as of epidemiological week 38. Five states accounted for 87 per cent of the country’s confirmed cases, with Ondo recording the highest share.

According to the report, the state-by-state figures were:

• Ondo State: 393 confirmed cases and 91 deaths, accounting for 35 per cent of confirmed cases.
• Bauchi State: 260 confirmed cases and 36 deaths, representing 23 per cent.
• Taraba State: 133 confirmed cases and 43 deaths, representing 12 per cent.
• Edo State: 122 confirmed cases and 27 deaths, representing 11 per cent.
• Benue State: 61 confirmed cases and 15 deaths, representing six per cent.

The figures highlight the concentration of reported infections in the five states, particularly Ondo and Bauchi, which together accounted for more than half of confirmed cases.

New Lassa Fever Cases Decline in Week 38

New confirmed infections declined during the week under review. Nigeria recorded 11 new cases in epidemiological week 38, compared with 17 in the preceding week. The new infections were reported in Ondo, Edo and Taraba states.

However, four deaths were recorded among confirmed cases during the same week, producing a weekly case fatality rate of 36.4 per cent. This was higher than the cumulative rate of 23.6 per cent recorded for the year, although the figures cover different periods and numbers of cases.

The NCDC also documented 120 suspected cases during week 38, with no new probable cases reported.

No additional healthcare worker was affected during the week. However, the cumulative number of healthcare workers affected by Lassa fever in 2026 remained at 54.

Adults Aged 21–30 Most Affected

The report identified people aged 21 to 30 as the most affected age group. Confirmed cases ranged from individuals aged one to 93 years, with a median age of 30.

The male-to-female ratio among confirmed cases was 1:0.9, indicating broadly similar numbers of infections among males and females.

NCDC Identifies Delayed Treatment and Limited Awareness as Challenges

The NCDC identified late presentation at health facilities as one of the challenges associated with the high case fatality rate.

Other challenges highlighted in the report included poor health-seeking behaviour linked to the high cost of treatment and clinical management, inadequate environmental sanitation in high-burden communities, limited public awareness and infections among healthcare workers.

The agency called on state governments to strengthen community engagement on Lassa fever prevention throughout the year.

It also urged healthcare workers to maintain a high level of suspicion for the disease, ensure prompt referral and treatment, and strictly follow infection prevention and control procedures.

The NCDC further recommended that states strengthen their capacity to prevent, detect and respond quickly to outbreaks.