Nigeria has recorded 268 deaths from Lassa fever in 2026, with the case fatality rate rising to 23.6 per cent, in contrast with 18.6 per cent throughout the identical interval in 2025, in accordance to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).
The deaths have been recorded amongst 1,138 confirmed instances reported between epidemiological weeks one and 40, overlaying 28 September to 4 October 2026.
The NCDC’s newest scenario report reveals that confirmed instances have elevated from 924 in the course of the corresponding interval in 2025 to 1,138 this 12 months, whereas deaths have risen from 172 to 268.
The figures spotlight the continued burden of the illness regardless of a pointy decline in newly confirmed infections within the newest reporting week.
In week 40, the variety of new confirmed instances fell to three from 13 within the earlier week. The newest instances have been reported in Bauchi and Benue states.
One dying was recorded among the many three confirmed instances in the course of the week, giving a weekly case fatality rate of 33.3 per cent.
The NCDC attributed the persistently excessive fatality rate partly to late presentation of instances at well being amenities, alongside the excessive price of therapy and poor health-seeking behaviour in affected communities.
Five states account for 88% of instances
The NCDC stated 24 states had reported at the least one confirmed Lassa fever case throughout 119 native authorities areas (LGAs) as of week 40.
Five states, Ondo, Bauchi, Taraba, Edo and Benue, accounted for 88 per cent of all confirmed instances recorded in 2026.
Ondo accounted for 36 per cent of confirmed instances, adopted by Bauchi with 23 per cent, Taraba with 12 per cent, Edo with 11 per cent and Benue with six per cent.
The remaining 12 per cent of instances have been reported throughout 19 different states.
People aged 21 to 30 years remained probably the most affected age group, though the report confirmed that confirmed instances ranged from one to 93 years.
No new healthcare employee an infection was recorded throughout week 40. However, the cumulative variety of healthcare staff affected by the illness in 2026 stood at 54.
Response
In response to the outbreak, the NCDC stated it had developed a 30-day healthcare employee safety plan, with help from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to curb infections amongst frontline well being staff in endemic states.
The company additionally reported coaching healthcare staff in an infection prevention and management, distributing private protecting gear to well being amenities and strengthening case administration in affected states.
It stated incident administration programs had been activated in Benue, Plateau, Kebbi, Kano and Gombe states, whereas nationwide speedy response groups had been deployed to seven high-burden states.
The company additionally carried out group engagement actions with spiritual and conventional leaders in Edo and Ondo states and sensitised farmers and market girls in Ondo in collaboration with the National Orientation Agency.
Despite these actions, the NCDC recognized late presentation of instances, poor environmental sanitation, insufficient consciousness and the excessive price of therapy as persevering with challenges in communities with excessive case burdens.
The company urged states to maintain group engagement on Lassa fever prevention all year long.
It additionally suggested healthcare staff to preserve a excessive index of suspicion for the illness, guarantee well timed referral and therapy, and cling to customary an infection prevention and management procedures.
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Lassa fever
Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic sickness transmitted to people primarily by contact with meals or home items contaminated by the urine or faeces of contaminated rats.
Human-to-human transmission may happen, notably in healthcare settings the place an infection prevention and management measures are insufficient.
The NCDC recommends conserving meals in rodent-proof containers, sustaining good environmental sanitation and avoiding contact with rodents.
People who develop signs according to Lassa fever, notably after potential publicity, ought to search immediate medical consideration.
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