LAGOS, Nigeria
Nigeria’s Lassa fever outbreak has killed 252 people so far this year, while confirmed infections have risen to 1,035, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) said.
The agency reported 14 new confirmed cases during epidemiological week 33, covering Aug. 10-16, bringing the cumulative number of confirmed infections in 2026 to 1,035.
The new cases were recorded in Ondo, Edo, Bauchi and Benue states, according to the NCDC’s latest situation report.
The 252 deaths represent a case-fatality rate of 24.4%, up from 18.6% during the same period last year, when 159 deaths were recorded from 854 confirmed cases.
The NCDC said Lassa fever has been confirmed in 23 states and 117 local government areas across the country this year.
Five states — Ondo, Bauchi, Taraba, Edo and Benue — account for 87% of all confirmed cases, while the remaining 13% were reported across 18 other states.
In the latest reporting week, 151 suspected cases were investigated, 14 were confirmed and two deaths were recorded.
The number of new confirmed cases rose sharply from four in epidemiological week 32 to 14 in week 33, according to the NCDC.
Young adults most affected
People aged 21-30 remain the most affected age group in the current outbreak, according to the latest situation report.
Lassa fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic disease endemic in parts of West Africa. Humans can become infected through contact with food or household items contaminated by the urine or feces of infected rodents, while person-to-person transmission can also occur, particularly in healthcare settings.
The disease is endemic in Nigeria, with outbreaks regularly reported during the dry season, although cases occur throughout the year.
Health authorities have urged Nigerians to maintain good hygiene, avoid contact with rodents and seek medical attention early if symptoms such as fever, weakness, headache, sore throat, vomiting or unexplained bleeding occur.
Nigeria continues to strengthen surveillance and response measures against Lassa fever, which remains one of the country’s major endemic infectious diseases.
