Nigeria has recorded 237 deaths from Lassa fever in the first 30 epidemiological weeks of 2026, with the disease spreading across 23 states and 116 Local Government Areas, according to the latest data from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).
The NCDC’s situation report for epidemiological week 30, covering July 20 to 26, 2026, showed that 17 new confirmed cases were recorded during the week, bringing the year’s total confirmed infections to 1,000.
Although the weekly figure fell from the 20 cases recorded in week 29, the overall picture remains troubling, with Nigeria’s cumulative case fatality rate standing at 23.7 per cent.
The fatality rate is higher than the 18.8 per cent recorded during the corresponding period in 2025, when the country had reported 825 confirmed cases and 155 deaths across 21 states and 105 LGAs.
The number of suspected cases has also increased, rising to 6,960, compared with 6,731 during the same period last year. Six probable cases have additionally been recorded.
The outbreak remained heavily concentrated in five states, which together account for 86 per cent of confirmed cases.
Ondo leads with 32 per cent, followed by Bauchi with 25 per cent, Taraba with 13 per cent, Edo with 10 per cent and Benue with six per cent.
The 17 infections recorded in week 30 were reported in Ondo, Bauchi, Edo and Benue.
Young adults between 21 and 30 years remain the most affected age group, although infections have been recorded among people aged between one and 93 years. The median age of confirmed patients is 30.
The NCDC also reported that a healthcare worker contracted the disease during the latest reporting week, highlighting the continuing danger faced by frontline medical personnel.
In response to the outbreak, the NCDC said it was working with state governments, development partners and other stakeholders to strengthen surveillance, diagnosis, treatment and infection prevention and control.
Measures include training healthcare workers in case management, community engagement, enhanced surveillance and early referral of suspected patients.
The agency has also introduced a 30-day Healthcare Worker Protection Plan designed to reduce infections among frontline workers in states where Lassa fever is endemic.
Personal protective equipment has been prepositioned and distributed to health facilities, while rapid response teams have been deployed to seven high-burden states.
Incident Management Systems have also been activated in Benue, Plateau, Kebbi, Kano and Gombe, alongside active case searches and contact tracing in affected communities.
Laboratory testing, improved hand-hygiene practices and community-based awareness campaigns are also being used to strengthen the response.
The NCDC identified late presentation of patients as one of the major factors contributing to the high fatality rate.
Other challenges include poor health-seeking behaviour, the cost of treatment and clinical care, inadequate sanitation in high-burden communities, limited public awareness and infections among healthcare workers.
The agency urged states to maintain year-round community engagement on prevention and called on healthcare workers to maintain a high index of suspicion, ensure early referral and treatment, and strictly follow infection prevention and control procedures.
It also called for stronger state-level capacity to prevent, detect and respond quickly to outbreaks.
With confirmed infections already reaching 1,000 and deaths standing at 237 by week 30, the figures underscore the continuing threat posed by Lassa fever in Nigeria.
While the decline in weekly infections offers some relief, the higher number of cases and deaths compared with 2025 highlights the urgent need for early diagnosis, prompt treatment, improved sanitation, public awareness and stronger protection for healthcare workers.
