By Blessing Bature
Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has said Nigeria recorded 1,000 confirmed cases of Lassa fever and 237 deaths since the beginning of 2026, with the case fatality rate rising to 23.7 per cent.
The latest Lassa Fever Situation Report for epidemiological week 30, covering July 20 to 26, 2026, showed that 17 new confirmed cases were recorded during the week.
The new cases were reported in Ondo, Bauchi, Edo and Benue states, representing a decline from the 20 confirmed cases recorded in epidemiological week 29.
The NCDC said the cumulative figure of 1,000 confirmed cases and 237 deaths translated to a case fatality rate of 23.7 per cent, higher than the 18.8 per cent recorded during the corresponding period in 2025.
According to the report, 23 states have so far recorded at least one confirmed Lassa fever case across 116 Local Government Areas.
The disease burden remains concentrated in five states Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Benue and Edo which collectively accounted for 86 per cent of all confirmed cases recorded in the country.
The NCDC also identified people aged between 21 and 30 years as the predominant age group affected by the disease.
The agency noted that one healthcare worker was newly infected during epidemiological week 30, highlighting the continued risk faced by health professionals involved in the management of Lassa fever patients.
The latest figures come one week after the NCDC reported 20 new confirmed cases and six deaths during epidemiological week 29, bringing the cumulative number at the time to 983 confirmed cases and 231 deaths.
During week 29, the case fatality rate stood at 23.5 per cent, also significantly higher than the 18.9 per cent recorded during the same period in 2025.
The NCDC has continued to urge Nigerians to remain vigilant and adopt preventive measures against Lassa fever, particularly in areas where cases have been reported.
Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness transmitted primarily through contact with food or household items contaminated by infected multimammate rats. Person-to-person transmission can also occur, particularly in healthcare settings where appropriate infection prevention and control measures are not observed.
The NCDC said members of the public should maintain good environmental hygiene, store food properly, avoid contact with rodents and report suspected cases promptly to health authorities.
The agency also advised healthcare workers to adhere strictly to infection prevention and control measures when managing suspected or confirmed cases.
