The NCDC has reported over 1,086 cases of Lassa fever, resulting in 259 de@ths

Nigeria's Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has reported that the nation experienced 1,086 confirmed Lassa fever cases and 259 deaths spanning 24 states and 118 Local Government Areas throughout 2026. This information was disclosed in the agency's Lassa Fever Situation Report for epidemiological week 36, which covered the period from August 31 through September 6, 2026. The report indicates that week 36 saw 12 newly confirmed cases, marking a decrease compared to the 18 cases identified during epidemiological week 35 across the country. "The newly confirmed cases documented during the reporting week were identified in Ondo, Edo and Kogi states, as detailed in the most recent Lassa fever situation report. "Data compiled for week 36 revealed that 259 deaths occurred among the 1,086 confirmed cases, yielding a Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 23.9 per cent. "The CFR continued to exceed the 18.6 per cent figure documented during the equivalent timeframe in 2025, based on the most recent data released by the disease control agency," the statement noted. The agency reported that infections were confirmed in 24 states across 118 LGAs, demonstrating that Lassa fever cases had emerged in multiple regions throughout Nigeria. According to the report, five states—Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Benue and Edo—accounted for 87 per cent of all confirmed Lassa fever cases documented in 2026. "The primary age demographic impacted by Lassa fever continued to be individuals between 21 and 30 years old, underscoring the ongoing burden of the disease among young adult populations," the agency stated. The agency also noted that no additional healthcare workers contracted the infection during epidemiological week 36, keeping the total number of affected health workers consistent with previous reporting periods. The agency indicated that these latest findings built upon the week 35 situation report, which documented 18 newly confirmed cases, a reduction from the 21 cases reported during epidemiological week 34. "The 18 confirmed cases identified in week 35 were documented in Ondo, Edo and Bauchi states, per the NCDC Lassa Fever Situation Report for that period. During epidemiological week 35, 18 confirmed Lassa fever cases emerged across Ondo, Edo, and Bauchi states, as documented in the NCDC Lassa Fever Situation Report. Nigeria's cumulative toll by the conclusion of week 35 reached 1,074 confirmed cases and 258 fatalities, translating to a Case Fatality Rate of 24.0 percent. The fatality rate observed at week 35's end surpassed the 18.6 percent documented during the equivalent timeframe in 2025, per NCDC findings. By week 35's conclusion, the outbreak had spread to 24 states, affecting 118 local government areas with at least one confirmed case each. Notably, five states—Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Benue, and Edo—accounted for 86 percent of all confirmed Lassa fever cases recorded through week 35.