Lassa fever deaths rise to 259 as Nigeria records 1,086 confirmed cases

Nigeria has recorded 259 deaths from Lassa fever since the beginning of 2026, with the case-fatality rate remaining significantly higher than it was during the same period last year.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) in its Lassa Fever Situation Report for epidemiological week 36, covering 31 August to 6 September, said the country had recorded 1,086 confirmed cases across 24 states and 118 Local Government Areas.

The 259 deaths represent a case-fatality rate of 23.9 per cent, compared with 18.6 per cent recorded during the corresponding period in 2025.

Although the number of newly confirmed cases declined from 18 in week 35 to 12 in week 36, the cumulative number of confirmed cases increased from 1,074 to 1,086, while deaths rose by one.

Late presentation, treatment costs

The NCDC identified late presentation of patients as one of the major challenges contributing to the high case-fatality rate.
It also cited poor health-seeking behaviour linked to the high cost of treatment and clinical management of Lassa fever.

Other challenges identified by the disease control agency include poor environmental sanitation and inadequate awareness in high-burden communities, as well as infections among healthcare workers.

The NCDC said the predominant age group affected by Lassa fever in 2026 remains people aged 21 to 30 years.

Five states account for most confirmed cases

According to the latest report covering week 36, from 31 August to 6 September 2026, 87 per cent of the confirmed cases recorded in 2026 are from five states; Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Benue and Edo.

The disease has so far been reported in 24 states and 118 LGAs.

During week 36, the 12 newly confirmed cases were reported in Ondo, Edo and Kogi states.

No new healthcare worker was reported to have contracted Lassa fever during the week.

The latest figures follow 18 confirmed cases recorded in week 35, when cases were reported in Ondo, Edo and Bauchi states.

Healthcare worker protection

In response to the outbreak, the NCDC said it had developed a 30-day Healthcare Worker Protection Plan aimed at reducing infections among frontline health workers in states affected by Lassa fever.

The agency said it also provided technical support to investigate and mitigate healthcare worker infections and supplied personal protective equipment to health facilities.

It further said it had strengthened infection prevention and control programmes in Akwa Ibom, Bauchi and Lagos states and conducted capacity-building sessions for infection prevention and control focal persons in Lassa fever ring facilities in Ebonyi and Ondo states.

The agency also said it had deployed national rapid response teams across seven high-burden states and continued active case searches and contact tracing in collaboration with partners.

Other response measures included training frontline healthcare workers, supporting case management training in Bauchi, Plateau and Taraba states, prepositioning personal protective equipment and medicines, and conducting risk communication and community engagement activities.

Early treatment

The NCDC recommended that states strengthen year-round community engagement on Lassa fever prevention.

It also urged healthcare workers to maintain a high index of suspicion for the disease, refer suspected cases promptly for treatment and comply with standard infection prevention and control procedures.

The agency advised that state-level capacity to prevent, detect and respond to Lassa fever should also be strengthened.

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Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness that can cause severe disease and death. Early diagnosis and treatment are important in managing cases.

Lassa fever

Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness caused by the Lassa virus, which is transmitted to humans primarily through contact with food or household items contaminated by the urine or faeces of infected rats.

It can also spread from person to person through contact with bodily fluids.

The disease often begins with fever, weakness, and headache, and may progress to more severe symptoms such as bleeding, difficulty breathing, swelling, and organ failure.

Early diagnosis and prompt treatment with Ribavirin are critical for improving survival.