Nigeria has recorded 18 new confirmed cases of Lassa fever, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in 2026 to 1,074, with 258 deaths reported across 24 states.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention says the latest cases were recorded in Ondo, Edo and Bauchi states between August 24 and 30.
The number of new cases fell from 21 in the previous week, but the cumulative case fatality rate has risen to 24 per cent, compared with 18.6 per cent during the same period in 2025.
The NCDC says 7,785 suspected cases have been recorded so far this year, with 86 per cent of confirmed cases coming from Ondo, Bauchi, Taraba, Edo and Benue states. Ondo accounts for the highest share at 34 per cent, followed by Bauchi with 24 per cent and Taraba with 12 per cent.
People aged 21 to 30 are the most affected, although confirmed cases have ranged from one to 93 years.
The agency also reports that 54 healthcare workers have been infected this year, while 816 patients have been managed at treatment centres.
According to the NCDC, late presentation, poor health-seeking behaviour, high treatment costs, poor environmental sanitation and inadequate awareness in high-burden communities are contributing to the high fatality rate.
The agency says it has deployed National Rapid Response Teams to seven high-burden states and distributed personal protective equipment and other infection prevention supplies to health facilities.
It has also developed a 30-day Healthcare Worker Protection Plan with support from the World Health Organisation and the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The NCDC is urging states to strengthen surveillance, community awareness and environmental sanitation, while advising healthcare workers to maintain a high level of suspicion for Lassa fever and ensure early referral and treatment.
Comments
Add a comment