NCDC recorded 259 deaths in 24 states from Lassa fever in 2026

The Nigeria Center for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) said the country has recorded 1,086 confirmed cases of Lassa fever and 259 deaths in 24 states and 118 LGAs by 2026.

In its latest Lassa fever situation report for week 36 (August 31 to September 6), the NCDC said 12 new confirmed cases were recorded during the period.

“New confirmed cases recorded during the reporting week were reported in Ondo, Edo and Kogi states,” the NCDC said.

“Cumulative figures at week 36 show that 259 deaths have been recorded among 1,086 confirmed cases, representing a case fatality rate (CFR) of 23.9 percent.

“The CFR remains higher than the 18.6 percent recorded in the same period in 2025, according to the latest figures released by the disease control agency,” he said.

NCDC said 24 states recorded at least one confirmed case of Lassa fever in 118 LGAs.

The agency said that 87 percent of all confirmed Lassa fever cases recorded in 2026 were reported in Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Benue and Edo states.

NCDC said Ondo and Bauchi recorded 89 and 36 deaths respectively due to Lassa fever.

“Eighty-seven percent (87%) of all confirmed Lassa fever cases were reported from 5 states (Ondo, Bauchi, Taraba, Edo and Benue), while thirteen percent (13%) were reported from 18 states with confirmed Lassa fever cases. Of the 87% confirmed cases, Ondo reported 34%, Bauchi 24%, Taraba 12%, Edo 11% and Benue 6%,” the agency said.

NCDC recorded no new health care workers infected during the 36th epidemiological week.

“The 18 confirmed cases recorded in the 35th week were reported in Ondo, Edo and Bauchi states,” he said.

“At the end of the 35th epidemiological week, Nigeria had recorded 1,074 confirmed cases of Lassa fever and 258 deaths, for a fatality rate of 24.0 percent.

“The CFR recorded at the end of the 35th week was also higher than the 18.6 percent recorded in the same period in 2025.

“The most affected age group during epidemiological week 35 was people aged between 21 and 30 years.

“No new health care workers contracted Lassa fever during epidemiological week 35, as surveillance and response activities continued nationwide.

“The increase in cumulative confirmed cases from 1,074 in week 35 to 1,086 in week 36 reflects an additional 12 confirmed cases recorded during the last reporting period.

“Similarly, deaths increased from 258 at week 35 to 259 at week 36, while CFR decreased slightly from 24.0 percent to 23.9 percent.”