Nigeria has recorded 263 deaths from 1,115 confirmed Lassa fever cases across 24 states, with the disease’s case fatality rate rising to 23.6 per cent, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).
The figures, contained in the agency’s situation report for epidemiological week 38, covering September 14 to 20, 2026, show that the fatality rate remains above the 18.5 per cent recorded during the corresponding period in 2025.
In its statement on Thursday, the NCDC reported 11 new confirmed infections during the week, down from 17 recorded in the preceding week. The latest cases were reported in Ondo, Edo and Taraba states.
Despite the weekly decline, the agency said the outbreak had spread across 119 Local Government Areas in 24 states, underscoring the continuing public health challenge.
Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Benue and Edo accounted for 87 per cent of all confirmed infections, making the five states the main contributors to Nigeria’s reported caseload.
People aged between 21 and 30 years remained the most affected age group, according to the report. The agency also recorded no new infections among healthcare workers during the reporting week.
The latest figures represent an increase from the end of epidemiological week 37, when Nigeria had recorded 1,104 confirmed cases and 259 deaths, with a case fatality rate of 23.5 per cent.
During that earlier week, which covered September 7 to 13, 17 new infections were reported in Ondo and Taraba. The five states of Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Benue and Edo accounted for 88 per cent of confirmed cases at the time.
Although the number of new weekly cases has fallen, the cumulative figures show that infections and deaths continued to rise over the latest reporting period.
Lassa fever is an acute viral illness transmitted primarily through contact with food or household items contaminated by infected rodents. Person-to-person transmission can also occur, particularly in healthcare settings where infection prevention and control measures are inadequate.
The NCDC urged healthcare workers and members of the public to maintain preventive measures and promptly report suspected infections to health authorities.
The agency’s latest report highlights the importance of continued vigilance as Nigeria contends with a disease burden whose fatality rate remains higher than the level recorded during the corresponding period last year.
