The variety of deaths from Lassa fever in Nigeria has risen to 268 in 2026, with the nation recording 1,138 confirmed instances throughout 24 states and 119 Local Government Areas as of epidemiological week 40, in keeping with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).
The NCDC, in its newest scenario report masking September 28 to October 4, 2026, stated the case fatality rate had elevated to 23.6 per cent, in contrast with 18.6 per cent recorded in the course of the corresponding interval in 2025.
The report confirmed that Nigeria recorded 8,414 suspected instances, 1,138 confirmed instances and 6 possible instances between epidemiological weeks one and 40 of 2026, in contrast with 8,041 suspected instances, 924 confirmed instances and 7 possible instances throughout the identical interval final 12 months.
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According to the NCDC, three new confirmed instances have been recorded in week 40, representing a decline from the 13 instances reported within the previous week. The new instances have been reported in Bauchi and Benue states, whereas one dying was recorded in the course of the week.
The report indicated that 88 per cent of confirmed instances in 2026 have been concentrated in 5 states: Ondo, Bauchi, Taraba, Edo and Benue.
Ondo accounted for 36 per cent of the confirmed instances, adopted 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 have been reported throughout 19 different states.
The predominant age group affected was 21 to 30 years, with instances recorded amongst individuals aged between one and 93 years and a median age of 30. The male-to-female ratio amongst confirmed instances was 1:0.9.
The company additionally reported that 54 healthcare employees had been affected by the illness cumulatively in 2026, though no new healthcare employee an infection was recorded throughout week 40.
It stated two sufferers have been managed at remedy centres in the course of the reporting week, bringing the cumulative variety of instances managed at such services to 870.
On contact tracing, the NCDC reported that 77 contacts remained below follow-up, whereas 2,016 had accomplished follow-up. A complete of 110 symptomatic contacts and 49 constructive contacts had been recorded cumulatively, whereas three contacts had been misplaced to follow-up.
The company attributed the excessive fatality rate partly to the late presentation of sufferers at well being services, poor health-seeking behaviour linked to the excessive price of remedy, insufficient environmental sanitation and low consciousness in high-burden communities.
Healthcare employee infections have been additionally recognized as a seamless problem within the nation’s response to the illness.
To strengthen the response, the NCDC stated it had sustained surveillance, laboratory testing, case administration coaching and an infection prevention and management actions in collaboration with state governments and growth companions.
It additionally performed a nationwide after-action assessment of the 2026 outbreak, supported scientific administration coaching in affected states and developed a 30-day healthcare employee safety plan with the help of the World Health Organisation and the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Other interventions included the deployment of fast response groups to seven high-burden states, distribution of private protecting tools to well being services, group engagement and speak to tracing in affected areas.
The company additional disclosed that it had issued a joint advisory to medical medical doctors and different healthcare employees to strengthen Lassa fever prevention, prognosis and administration.
The NCDC urged state governments to maintain group engagement all year long to enhance public consciousness and promote preventive practices.
It additionally suggested healthcare employees to take care of a excessive index of suspicion for Lassa fever, guarantee immediate referral and remedy of suspected instances, and adjust to normal an infection prevention and management procedures.
The company known as on states and companions to strengthen their capability to stop, detect and reply promptly to outbreaks.
Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic sickness transmitted primarily by way of contact with meals or home goods contaminated by the urine or faeces of contaminated rodents.
Human-to-human transmission can even happen by way of contact with the blood, secretions, organs, or different bodily fluids of an contaminated individual, significantly in healthcare settings with out ample an infection prevention measures.
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