Nigeria records 268 Lassa fever deaths as fatality rate rises

The number of deaths from Lassa fever in Nigeria has risen to 268 in 2026, with the country recording 1,138 confirmed cases across 24 states and 119 Local Government Areas as of epidemiological week 40, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).

The NCDC, in its latest situation report covering September 28 to October 4, 2026, said the case fatality rate had increased to 23.6 per cent, compared with 18.6 per cent recorded during the corresponding period in 2025.

The report showed that Nigeria recorded 8,414 suspected cases, 1,138 confirmed cases and six probable cases between epidemiological weeks one and 40 of 2026, compared with 8,041 suspected cases, 924 confirmed cases and seven probable cases during the same period last year.

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According to the NCDC, three new confirmed cases were recorded in week 40, representing a decline from the 13 cases reported in the preceding week. The new cases were reported in Bauchi and Benue states, while one death was recorded during the week.

The report indicated that 88 per cent of confirmed cases in 2026 were concentrated in five states: Ondo, Bauchi, Taraba, Edo and Benue.

Ondo accounted for 36 per cent of the confirmed cases, followed by Bauchi with 23 per cent, Taraba with 12 per cent, Edo with 11 per cent and Benue with six per cent. The remaining 12 per cent were reported across 19 other states.

The predominant age group affected was 21 to 30 years, with cases recorded among people aged between one and 93 years and a median age of 30. The male-to-female ratio among confirmed cases was 1:0.9.

The agency also reported that 54 healthcare workers had been affected by the disease cumulatively in 2026, although no new healthcare worker infection was recorded during week 40.

It said two patients were managed at treatment centres during the reporting week, bringing the cumulative number of cases managed at such facilities to 870.

On contact tracing, the NCDC reported that 77 contacts remained under follow-up, while 2,016 had completed follow-up. A total of 110 symptomatic contacts and 49 positive contacts had been recorded cumulatively, while three contacts had been lost to follow-up.

The agency attributed the high fatality rate partly to the late presentation of patients at health facilities, poor health-seeking behaviour linked to the high cost of treatment, inadequate environmental sanitation and low awareness in high-burden communities.

Healthcare worker infections were also identified as a continuing challenge in the country’s response to the disease.

To strengthen the response, the NCDC said it had sustained surveillance, laboratory testing, case management training and infection prevention and control activities in collaboration with state governments and development partners.

It also conducted a national after-action review of the 2026 outbreak, supported clinical management training in affected states and developed a 30-day healthcare worker protection plan with the support of the World Health Organisation and the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Other interventions included the deployment of rapid response teams to seven high-burden states, distribution of personal protective equipment to health facilities, community engagement and contact tracing in affected areas.

The agency further disclosed that it had issued a joint advisory to medical doctors and other healthcare workers to strengthen Lassa fever prevention, diagnosis and management.

The NCDC urged state governments to sustain community engagement throughout the year to improve public awareness and promote preventive practices.

It also advised healthcare workers to maintain a high index of suspicion for Lassa fever, ensure prompt referral and treatment of suspected cases, and comply with standard infection prevention and control procedures.

The agency called on states and partners to strengthen their capacity to prevent, detect and respond promptly to outbreaks.

Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness transmitted primarily through contact with food or household items contaminated by the urine or faeces of infected rodents.

Human-to-human transmission can also occur through contact with the blood, secretions, organs, or other bodily fluids of an infected person, particularly in healthcare settings without adequate infection prevention measures.