Nigeria records 268 Lassa fever deaths as fatality rate rises to 23.6% – NCDC

Nigeria’s Lassa fever outbreak became deadlier in 2026 than during the same period in 2025. Between epidemiological weeks one and 40, 268 people died among 1,138 confirmed cases. In 2025, there were 172 deaths among 924 confirmed cases. The case-fatality rate therefore rose from 18.6% to 23.6%.

The increase matters because both confirmed infections and deaths moved upward. Deaths rose by 96, while confirmed cases increased by 214. The latest weekly figures were lower, with three new confirmed cases in week 40 compared with 13 in week 39. However, one of the three patients died, producing a weekly fatality rate of 33.3%.

The NCDC linked the persistently high fatality rate partly to late presentation, expensive treatment and poor health-seeking behaviour. It is supporting healthcare workers, improving case management and urging communities to seek care promptly. These measures aim to reduce deaths even as transmission continues across affected states.

Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness. It is transmitted to people primarily through contact with food or household items contaminated by the urine or faeces of infected rats. This makes everyday household conditions, food handling and environmental sanitation important parts of prevention.

For example, food stored where rodents can reach it may become contaminated. A person can then acquire the infection through contact with that contaminated food or household item. The article also notes that human-to-human transmission can occur, particularly in healthcare settings where infection-prevention and control measures are inadequate.

The NCDC recommends keeping food in rodent-proof containers, maintaining good environmental sanitation and avoiding contact with rodents. People who develop symptoms consistent with Lassa fever, especially after possible exposure, should seek prompt medical attention. These actions address both the main rodent pathway and the risk of further spread between people.

The outbreak had reached 1,138 confirmed cases across Nigeria by epidemiological week 40, covering 28 September to 4 October 2026. The cases were reported across 24 states and 119 local government areas. The scale shows that Lassa fever remained a national public-health burden, even though new infections fell during the latest reporting week.

Five states carried most of the confirmed cases. Ondo accounted for 36%, followed by Bauchi at 23%, Taraba at 12%, Edo at 11% and Benue at 6%. Together, these states represented 88% of all confirmed cases. The remaining 12% came from 19 other states.

The concentration of cases helps direct the response. The NCDC activated incident management systems in several states and deployed national rapid response teams to seven high-burden states. It also supported community engagement, training and case management. Continued action in the most affected states remains important while other states monitor for cases.

A case-fatality rate measures the share of confirmed patients who die from a disease. Nigeria’s 23.6% rate means that 268 deaths occurred among 1,138 confirmed Lassa fever cases in 2026. It does not mean that 23.6% of the entire population died, or that every infection was detected.

The timing of care matters. The NCDC identified late presentation at health facilities as one reason for the persistently high rate. When patients arrive late, healthcare workers may have less time to assess them, begin treatment and manage the illness. The article also identifies the high cost of treatment and poor health-seeking behaviour as contributing challenges.

The latest week illustrates how quickly the rate can shift. Three confirmed cases were reported in week 40, and one patient died, producing a weekly rate of 33.3%. This small weekly total should not replace the broader year-to-date figure, but it reinforces the need for prompt medical attention and referral.

When Lassa fever is not diagnosed and treated promptly, the risk of a fatal outcome can increase. The NCDC linked late presentation at health facilities to the persistently high case-fatality rate. Delayed care also makes timely referral and case management more difficult, which is why the agency urges patients to seek medical attention quickly.

Healthcare settings face an additional danger. Lassa fever can spread from person to person when infection-prevention and control measures are inadequate. This can expose healthcare workers and other patients. In 2026, 54 healthcare workers had been affected cumulatively, although no new healthcare worker infection was recorded in week 40.

The response includes training workers in infection prevention and control, distributing personal protective equipment and strengthening case management. The NCDC also created a 30-day healthcare worker protection plan with WHO and the United States CDC. Prompt referral and standard precautions can help reduce deaths and healthcare-associated transmission.

Nigeria’s response combines protection for healthcare workers with wider outbreak control. The NCDC developed a 30-day healthcare worker protection plan with support from WHO and the United States CDC. It is training workers in infection prevention and control, supplying personal protective equipment and strengthening case management in affected states.

The agency also activated incident management systems in Benue, Plateau, Kebbi, Kano and Gombe. National rapid response teams were deployed to seven high-burden states. Community engagement involved religious and traditional leaders in Edo and Ondo, while farmers and market women in Ondo received sensitisation with the National Orientation Agency.

These measures are important because Lassa fever can spread from person to person when healthcare precautions are inadequate. The cumulative number of affected healthcare workers reached 54 in 2026, although no new infection occurred in week 40. The NCDC urges workers to suspect cases early, refer patients promptly and follow standard precautions.

Prevention begins by reducing contact between people, rodents and contaminated household items. Lassa fever is transmitted primarily through food or items contaminated by infected rats’ urine or faeces. Rodent control, good sanitation and safe food storage therefore target the main route described by the NCDC.

The agency advises keeping food in rodent-proof containers, maintaining good environmental sanitation and avoiding contact with rodents. Community health-seeking behaviour is equally important. People with symptoms consistent with Lassa fever, particularly after possible exposure, should seek prompt medical attention rather than delay care.

These actions matter because late presentation was identified as a contributor to Nigeria’s high fatality rate. The NCDC also reported poor environmental sanitation, inadequate awareness and treatment costs as continuing challenges. Sustained community engagement throughout the year can reinforce prevention messages and encourage earlier referral, especially in states carrying the largest case burden.