NIGERIA recorded 1,086 confirmed cases of Lassa fever and 259 deaths across 24 states and 118 local government areas as of September 6, 2026, according to the latest situation reports by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).
The figures, contained in the situation reports for epidemiological weeks 35 and 36, show that the number of new confirmed infections has continued to decline in recent weeks.
However, the case fatality rate remains higher than the rate recorded during the corresponding period in 2025.
Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness caused by the Lassa virus. The disease is primarily transmitted to humans through contact with food or household items contaminated by infected rodents.
Person-to-person transmission can also occur through contact with the blood or other body fluids of an infected person, particularly in healthcare settings.
Its symptoms include fever, headache, sore throat, general body weakness, cough, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, muscle pains, chest pain, and, in severe cases, unexplainable bleeding from ears, eyes, nose, mouth and other body openings.
In epidemiological week 35, covering August 24 to 30, the NCDC recorded 18 new confirmed cases, down from 21 cases reported in the preceding week.
The cases were reported in Ondo, Edo and Bauchi states.
The new infections brought the cumulative number of confirmed cases to 1,074, while the death toll rose to 258.
The case fatality rate stood at 24 per cent, higher than the 18.6 per cent recorded during the same period in 2025.
By week 36, covering August 31 to September 6, new confirmed infections had dropped further to 12.
The cases were reported in Ondo, Edo and Kogi states. The additional infections brought the cumulative number of confirmed cases to 1,086, while one additional death increased the total number of fatalities to 259.
The report noted that the Case Fatality Rate subsequently declined marginally to 23.9 per cent but remained above the 18.6 per cent recorded during the corresponding period in 2025.
Five states account for majority of cases
The NCDC report showed that Lassa fever infections remain concentrated in a few states.
According to the report, five states — Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Benue and Edo — accounted for 86 per cent of confirmed cases by week 35.
Their share increased to 87 per cent by week 36.
The five states have consistently featured among the areas with the highest burden of Lassa fever infections in Nigeria.
Among the five states, Ondo recorded the highest number of cases, with 371 confirmed infections and 89 deaths.
It was followed by Bauchi with 260 confirmed cases and 36 deaths, while Taraba recorded 132 cases and 43 deaths. Edo had 118 confirmed cases and 26 deaths, while Benue recorded 61 cases and 15 deaths.
The NCDC said the predominant age group affected by the disease remained people aged between 21 and 30 years.
The agency also reported that no new healthcare worker was infected during either week 35 or week 36.
Lassa fever deaths remain a concern
Despite the decline in weekly infections, the fatality rate recorded in 2026 remains considerably higher than the corresponding figure from 2025.
Meanwhile, the NCDC said it had continued to coordinate the national response through its multisectoral and multi-partner Lassa Fever Technical Working Group.
It added that its response activities include surveillance, case management, risk communication and other outbreak control measures.
The agency also urged Nigerians to maintain good environmental sanitation, prevent rodents from entering homes and store food in rodent-proof containers.
It further advised people who develop symptoms consistent with Lassa fever to seek medical attention early, while healthcare workers are encouraged to maintain a high index of suspicion when attending to suspected cases.
On September 1, The ICIR reported that Lassa fever claimed 252 lives in Nigeria in the first eight months of 2026 as cases rose to 1,035.
This organisation reports that Lassa fever kills scores of Nigerians yearly, with the Nigerian government often appearing helpless to contain the crisis.
Between January and June 29, 2025, Nigeria recorded 790 confirmed cases of Lassa fever and 148 deaths, according to a situation report by the (NCDC).
Another situation report by the NCDC revealed that 806 cases of Lassa fever were recorded across the country in the first quarter of 2024.
Also, the NCDC report, analysed by The ICIR, showed that the virus killed 150 people within the period.
The Centre said Nigeria might have recorded the highest number of Lassa fever cases in 2023, with 8,542 suspected cases, 1,170 confirmed cases, and 200 deaths across 28 states.
The confirmed cases reported that year indicated a 9.7 per cent increase from those reported in 2022.
Mustapha Usman is an investigative journalist with the International Centre for Investigative Reporting. You can easily reach him via: musman@icirnigeria.com. He tweets @UsmanMustapha_M