Lassa Fever Death Toll Hits 263 as Nigeria Records 1,115 Confirmed Cases Across 24 States

BY TAIBAT UMMI YAKUBU 

Nigeria has recorded 263 deaths from Lassa fever, with confirmed infections reaching 1,115 across 24 states, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).

The figures represent a case fatality rate of 23.6 per cent, higher than the 18.5 per cent recorded during the corresponding period in 2025, raising continued concerns about the impact of the disease.

In its latest situation report released on Thursday, the NCDC said 11 new confirmed cases were recorded between September 14 and 20, 2026, covering epidemiological week 38. This marked a decline from the 17 cases reported in the preceding week.

The newly confirmed infections were recorded in Ondo, Edo and Taraba states, while the outbreak had spread across 119 Local Government Areas in the 24 affected states.

The agency identified Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Benue and Edo as the states accounting for the largest share of infections, contributing 87 per cent of all confirmed cases recorded by week 38.

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People aged between 21 and 30 years remained the most affected age group, according to the report. The NCDC also confirmed that no new healthcare worker contracted the disease during the reporting week.

The latest figures represent an increase from the 1,104 confirmed cases and 259 deaths recorded by the end of epidemiological week 37, when the case fatality rate stood at 23.5 per cent.

During that earlier reporting period, which covered September 7 to 13, 17 new infections were confirmed in Ondo and Taraba states. The five states of Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Benue and Edo accounted for 88 per cent of confirmed cases at the time.

Lassa fever is an acute viral 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, particularly in healthcare facilities where adequate infection prevention and control measures are lacking.

The NCDC urged healthcare workers and members of the public to maintain preventive measures and promptly report suspected infections to health authorities.

With the number of deaths rising alongside confirmed infections, the agency's latest report underscores the continuing public health challenge posed by Lassa fever, despite the decline in newly reported cases during the most recent week.