NCDC puts 2026 Lassa fever tally at 1,086 confirmed cases and 259 deaths

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has reported that the country recorded 1,086 confirmed Lassa fever cases and 259 deaths in 24 states and 118 Local Government Areas during 2026. The figures were contained in the agency's Lassa Fever Situation Report for epidemiological week 36, which spanned August 31 to September 6, 2026. For week 36, the report documented 12 newly confirmed infections, a drop from the 18 cases logged nationwide in epidemiological week 35. The fresh confirmed cases were located in Ondo, Edo and Kogi states, according to the report. The cumulative data for week 36 showed that 259 fatalities occurred among the 1,086 confirmed cases, giving a Case Fatality Rate of 23.9 per cent. That CFR was still above the 18.6 per cent reported for the same period in 2025, the agency's latest figures indicated. At least one confirmed Lassa fever case was recorded in 24 states and 118 LGAs, the agency said, showing that infections had been detected in numerous parts of Nigeria. The report stated that 87 per cent of all confirmed cases in 2026 were reported in Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Benue and Edo states. People between 21 and 30 years old remained the age group most affected by the disease, underscoring its continuing effect on young adults, according to the agency. No healthcare worker was newly infected in epidemiological week 36, the agency also reported, leaving the count of affected health workers unchanged for the reporting period. The latest numbers came after the week 35 situation report, which recorded 18 new confirmed cases, lower than the 21 cases reported in epidemiological week 34. Those 18 confirmed cases in week 35 were reported in Ondo, Edo and Bauchi states, according to the NCDC's Lassa Fever Situation Report for that period. By the close of epidemiological week 35, Nigeria had recorded 1,074 confirmed Lassa fever cases and 258 deaths, with a CFR of 24.0 per cent. The CFR at the end of week 35 was also above the 18.6 per cent recorded during the corresponding period in 2025, the NCDC report said. The statement noted that 24 states had recorded at least one confirmed Lassa fever case across 118 LGAs by the end of epidemiological week 35. It added that 86 per cent of confirmed cases recorded by week 35 came from Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Benue and Edo states. The main age group affected during week 35 was people aged 21 to 30, according to the situation report released by the NCDC. No new healthcare worker was affected by Lassa fever in epidemiological week 35, as surveillance and response activities continued nationwide. The rise in cumulative confirmed cases from 1,074 in week 35 to 1,086 in week 36 reflected the 12 additional confirmed cases reported in the latest period. Deaths also increased from 258 in week 35 to 259 in week 36, while the CFR edged down from 24.0 per cent to 23.9 per cent, according to the report. The agency said the NCDC would keep conducting surveillance in affected states, tracking confirmed cases, deaths and healthcare worker infections as part of the national response effort. Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness that is endemic in Nigeria, with cases reported in multiple states and increased surveillance needed to support timely detection and response. The latest situation report offers updated epidemiological information to guide public health authorities and other stakeholders in monitoring the spread and responding to Lassa fever across affected communities. The clustering of cases in Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Benue and Edo states also remains a key feature of the 2026 Lassa fever epidemiological situation reported by the NCDC. The agency called for sustained attention to Lassa fever surveillance and response, especially in states reporting confirmed infections, as authorities monitor the evolving epidemiological situation in affected communities. The week 36 report therefore put the cumulative national totals at 1,086 confirmed cases and 259 deaths, with 24 states and 118 LGAs affected. Continued tracking of Lassa fever cases and deaths remains important for strengthening early detection, improving response measures and protecting healthcare workers and communities in affected areas, according to the agency.