Lassa fever cases in Nigeria have reached 1,086 in 2026, with 259 deaths recorded across 24 states and 118 Local Government Areas (LGAs), according to the latest report from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC). The figures cover epidemiological week 36, which ran from August 31 to September 6, 2026, and show that the disease continues to affect communities across different parts of the country.
The latest situation report recorded 12 new confirmed cases during the week under review, representing a decline from the 18 cases reported in epidemiological week 35. The new infections came from Ondo, Edo and Kogi states, while the cumulative number of confirmed cases increased from 1,074 in week 35 to 1,086 in week 36.
Lassa Fever Cases in Nigeria and Rising Death Toll
Although fewer new infections were confirmed during the latest reporting week, the number of deaths increased by one, moving from 258 at the end of week 35 to 259 by the end of week 36. The resulting case fatality rate stood at 23.9 per cent, compared with 24.0 per cent in the previous week and 18.6 per cent during the corresponding period in 2025.
The figures mean that nearly one-quarter of the confirmed cases recorded in the NCDC’s cumulative reporting data had resulted in death by the end of the reporting period. The agency has continued to monitor infections, deaths and healthcare worker exposure as part of its surveillance and response activities across affected states.
The NCDC report also showed that five states accounted for 87 per cent of all confirmed cases recorded in 2026. Ondo accounted for 34 per cent, followed by Bauchi with 24 per cent, Taraba with 12 per cent, Edo with 11 per cent and Benue with six per cent.
Ondo also recorded the highest number of deaths, with 89 fatalities, while Bauchi reported 36 deaths. The concentration of infections in these states has made them important areas for continued disease surveillance, case detection and public health response.
NCDC Monitors Lassa Fever Spread
The latest report indicates that 24 states and 118 LGAs have recorded at least one confirmed Lassa fever case in 2026. Despite the continued spread of the disease, the NCDC reported that no new healthcare worker infection was recorded during epidemiological week 36.
People aged between 21 and 30 years remained the predominant age group affected by Lassa fever, according to the latest epidemiological data. The NCDC has continued surveillance and response activities to monitor confirmed infections and support timely public health interventions.
Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness caused by the Lassa virus and remains endemic in Nigeria. The disease can be transmitted when people come into contact with food or household items contaminated by infected rodents, while person-to-person transmission can also occur through contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person.
The latest figures highlight the importance of early detection and treatment, particularly because the case fatality rate recorded in 2026 remains above the level reported during the same period last year. The NCDC has identified challenges such as late presentation, treatment costs, poor health-seeking behaviour, inadequate awareness and environmental sanitation as factors affecting the response to Lassa fever.
With the cumulative number of confirmed cases now standing at 1,086, health authorities are continuing to monitor the situation across affected communities while strengthening surveillance and response measures. The latest report provides an updated picture of the disease burden as Nigeria continues its public health response to Lassa fever.
The continued rise in reported Lassa fever cases also underscores the need for communities to remain alert to possible symptoms and seek medical attention when they become unwell. Early diagnosis can be important because the illness may initially resemble other common infections, making it difficult to identify without appropriate medical assessment. Public health authorities have continued to encourage measures that can reduce exposure to rodents, including keeping food properly covered, maintaining clean surroundings and avoiding contact with rodents or materials contaminated by them. Health workers also remain important in identifying suspected cases early and ensuring that patients receive appropriate care while reducing the risk of further transmission.
