ABUJA, Nigeria — Nigeria has recorded 252 deaths from Lassa fever so far in 2026, as the number of confirmed infections rose to 1,035, according to the latest figures from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention.
The NCDC said 14 new infections were confirmed during epidemiological week 33, covering Aug. 10 to Aug. 16. The latest cases were reported in Ondo, Bauchi, Edo and Benue states, showing that transmission continues in several parts of the country.
Nigeria’s case-fatality rate has climbed to 24.4 percent, meaning nearly one in four confirmed patients has died. That is significantly higher than the 18.6 percent recorded during the comparable period in 2025, raising concern about the severity of this year’s outbreak.
The latest figures also represent an increase from the previous reporting week, when Nigeria had recorded 1,021 confirmed infections and 240 deaths. Health authorities said weekly case numbers have fluctuated, but the disease remains an important public-health threat.
Confirmed infections have now been reported in 23 states and 117 local government areas. Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Benue and Edo states account for about 87 percent of all confirmed cases recorded this year, according to the NCDC.
People between the ages of 21 and 30 remain the most affected age group. Health officials said no new infections among health care workers were recorded during the latest reporting period, an important indicator because medical workers face additional risks when treating patients with infectious diseases.
Lassa fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic illness caused by the Lassa virus. It is primarily transmitted to humans through contact with food or household items contaminated by urine or feces from infected multimammate rats, although person-to-person transmission can also occur, particularly in health care settings.
Nigeria experiences Lassa fever cases throughout the year, but infections typically increase during the dry season, particularly between October and May. Outbreaks have repeatedly affected communities across the country, with public-health authorities urging improved sanitation, safer food storage and early medical treatment for suspected cases.
Earlier in 2026, the NCDC reported that the number of confirmed infections was already exceeding levels recorded during the same period in 2025, while the fatality rate was also higher. The continued rise in deaths has increased pressure on health authorities to strengthen surveillance, laboratory testing and treatment in the most affected states.
The NCDC says surveillance and response activities are continuing nationwide as health officials work to identify infections early and limit further transmission. The latest figures underline the continuing challenge Lassa fever poses in Nigeria, particularly in communities where access to rapid diagnosis and specialist treatment remains limited.
