Nigeria records 268 deaths, 1,138 confirmed Lassa fever cases in 2026 – NCDC

Nigeria has recorded 1,138 confirmed Lassa fever cases and 268 deaths crossed 24 states and 119 section authorities areas arsenic of epidemiological week 40 of 2026, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).

The NCDC’s latest concern report, covering September 28 to October 4, enactment the lawsuit fatality complaint astatine 23.6 per cent, up from 18.6 per cent during the corresponding play successful 2025.

Ondo, Bauchi, Taraba, Edo and Benue accounted for 88 per cent of confirmed cases, with Ondo signaling the highest proportionality astatine 36 per cent. Three caller cases and 1 decease were reported during the week nether review.

According to the NCDC, “Three caller confirmed cases were recorded successful week 40, representing a diminution from the 13 cases reported successful the preceding week.”

The bureau attributed the precocious fatality complaint partially to precocious presumption astatine wellness facilities, precocious attraction costs, mediocre health-seeking behaviour and inadequate biology sanitation. It besides reported that 54 healthcare workers had been infected cumulatively successful 2026.

The NCDC said it had intensified surveillance, interaction tracing, healthcare idiosyncratic protection, assemblage engagement and corruption prevention measures.

It urged healthcare workers to “maintain a precocious scale of suspicion for Lassa fever,” guarantee punctual referral and attraction of suspected cases, and comply with corruption preve...