Lassa fever has claimed 268 lives across Nigeria between January and October 2026, with the case fatality rate rising to 23.6 per cent, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).
The figure represents an increase in the fatality rate from 18.6 per cent recorded during the corresponding period in 2025, raising concerns over the severity of the disease outbreak.
In its latest Lassa fever situation report covering epidemiological week 40, from September 28 to October 4, the agency said the country had recorded a cumulative 1,138 confirmed cases.
The report showed that three new confirmed infections were recorded during the week in Bauchi and Benue states, down from 13 cases reported in week 39.
Despite the decline in new infections during the week under review, the NCDC said the overall number of suspected and confirmed cases had increased compared with the same period in 2025.
The agency disclosed that 24 states had recorded at least one confirmed case across 119 local government areas in 2026.
It added that five states accounted for 88 per cent of all confirmed infections, with Ondo recording the highest proportion.
According to the report, Ondo accounted for 36 per cent of confirmed cases, followed 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 confirmed infections were recorded across 19 other states affected by the disease.
The NCDC identified people aged between 21 and 30 years as the most affected age group, although confirmed cases ranged from one-year-olds to 93-year-olds. The median age of infected persons was 30.
It also reported that the male-to-female ratio among confirmed cases stood at 1:0.9.
No new healthcare worker infection was recorded during week 40, the agency said.
Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness endemic in parts of West Africa. The disease is primarily transmitted to humans through contact with food or household items contaminated by the urine or faeces of infected rodents. It can also spread between people through contact with infected bodily fluids, particularly in healthcare settings.
The NCDC said the national Lassa fever multisectoral, multi-partner technical working group would continue to support the coordination of response activities at all levels.
The agency's report highlights the continuing public health challenge posed by Lassa fever, as the number of deaths and the case fatality rate remain higher than the levels recorded during the corresponding period last year.
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