By Simpson Global Media News Desk
ABUJA, NIGERIA Nigeria has recorded 258 deaths from Lassa fever in 2026, with the number of confirmed cases rising to 1,074, according to the latest situation report from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).
The figures cover the period through epidemiological week 35, August 24–30, 2026. The NCDC's latest report shows that 18 new confirmed cases were recorded during the week, bringing the cumulative case-fatality rate to 24 per cent, compared with 18.6 per cent during the corresponding period in 2025.
8PHOTO CAPTION: Health workers and public-health officials during Lassa fever prevention and response activities in Nigeria. File/illustrative photos.
18 New Cases Recorded
The 18 confirmed infections recorded in week 35 came from Ondo, Edo and Bauchi states.
The NCDC said 7,785 suspected cases have been reported nationwide so far this year, compared with 7,375 during the same period in 2025. Of the 1,074 confirmed cases, about 86 per cent were reported from five states: Ondo, Bauchi, Taraba, Edo and Benue.
Ondo accounted for approximately 34 per cent of confirmed infections, followed by Bauchi with 24 per cent, Taraba 12 per cent, Edo 10 per cent and Benue six per cent.
Young Adults Among Most Affected
The NCDC report identified people aged 21 to 30 years as the predominant age group among confirmed cases.
Reported infections have ranged from one to 93 years, with a median age of 30. The male-to-female ratio among confirmed cases was approximately 1:0.9.
The agency also reported that 54 healthcare workers have been infected cumulatively this year, although no new healthcare-worker infection was recorded during week 35.
Late Presentation Remains a Challenge
The NCDC identified several factors contributing to the high fatality rate, including late presentation for treatment, poor health-seeking behaviour and the cost of clinical management.
Other challenges include inadequate awareness in high-burden communities, poor environmental sanitation and infections among healthcare workers.
During the reporting week, 13 patients were being managed at treatment centres, while 816 patients had cumulatively received care at treatment centres during the year.
Response Intensified
The NCDC said it continues to strengthen surveillance, case management, infection prevention and control, contact tracing and community engagement in affected states.
National Rapid Response Teams have been deployed to seven high-burden states, while personal protective equipment and other infection-prevention supplies have been distributed to health facilities.
The agency has also developed a 30-day Healthcare Worker Protection Plan with support from the World Health Organisation and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The NCDC's disease-surveillance portal lists Lassa fever among Nigeria's ongoing monitored outbreaks and provides weekly situation reports for the disease.
Public Health Advice
The agency is urging state governments and partners to strengthen community awareness, environmental sanitation and the capacity to detect and respond to infections quickly.
Healthcare workers have also been advised to maintain a high level of suspicion for Lassa fever, make timely referrals and treatment decisions, and strictly follow infection-prevention and control procedures.
The latest figures underscore the continuing public-health burden of Lassa fever in Nigeria and the importance of early recognition and treatment, particularly in states reporting the highest number of infections.
PHOTO CAPTION: Nigeria's health authorities continue surveillance, case management and infection-prevention activities as Lassa fever cases are reported across multiple states.
Sources: Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention; Vanguard.
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