Lassa fever deaths climb to 259 as Nigeria sees 1,086 confirmed cases

Nigeria has reported 259 deaths from Lassa fever since the start of 2026. The death rate is much higher than the same time last year.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) shared this in its Lassa Fever Situation Report for week 36, which covers 31 August to 6 September. The report shows that there are 1,086 confirmed cases in 24 states and 118 Local Government Areas (LGAs).

The 259 deaths give a case-fatality rate of 23.9 per cent. This is higher than the 18.6 per cent recorded during the same period in 2025.

Newly confirmed cases fell from 18 in week 35 to 12 in week 36. However, the total confirmed cases rose from 1,074 to 1,086, while deaths went up by one.

The NCDC said one of the main issues causing the high death rate is late presentation of patients. They also mentioned that many people do not seek treatment early due to the high costs of care for Lassa fever.

Other challenges include poor environmental sanitation and low awareness in areas with high rates of the disease. Infections among healthcare workers also pose a problem.

The NCDC reported that most people affected by Lassa fever in 2026 are between the ages of 21 and 30.

According to the latest report for week 36, from 31 August to 6 September 2026, 87 per cent of the confirmed cases are from five states: Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Benue, and Edo.

The disease has been reported in 24 states and 118 LGAs so far.

In week 36, the 12 new cases were found in Ondo, Edo, and Kogi states. No new infections were reported among healthcare workers during this week.

To tackle the outbreak, the NCDC has created a 30-day Healthcare Worker Protection Plan. This plan aims to reduce infections among health workers in states affected by Lassa fever.

The agency has also given technical support to investigate and address infections among healthcare workers. They provided personal protective equipment to health facilities as well.

The NCDC has improved infection prevention and control programs in Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, and Lagos states. They also held training sessions for infection prevention and control staff in Lassa fever facilities in Ebonyi and Ondo states.

The agency deployed rapid response teams across seven states with high cases and is conducting active case searches and contact tracing with partners.

Other actions include training healthcare workers, supporting case management training in Bauchi, Plateau, and Taraba states, and preparing personal protective equipment and medicines.

The NCDC advised states to strengthen community engagement on Lassa fever prevention throughout the year.

They also urged healthcare workers to be alert for suspected cases and to refer them for treatment quickly. Following standard infection prevention and control procedures is important.

The agency emphasized that states should build their ability to prevent, detect, and respond to Lassa fever.

Lassa fever is a serious viral illness that can lead to severe disease and death. Early diagnosis and treatment are key to managing cases.

The disease is caused by the Lassa virus, which humans mainly get through contact with food or items contaminated by the urine or droppings of infected rats. It can spread from person to person through contact with bodily fluids.

Symptoms often start with fever, weakness, and headache, and can develop into bleeding, breathing problems, swelling, and organ failure.

Early diagnosis and immediate treatment with Ribavirin are vital for improving chances of survival.