Nigeria recorded 268 Lassa fever deaths in 2026, with a case fatality rate of 23.6%, up from 18.6% in the same period in 2025, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC). The disease remains concentrated in five states, with Ondo, Bauchi, Taraba, Edo, and Benue accounting for 88% of confirmed cases.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) reported 268 Lassa fever deaths in 2026, marking a case fatality rate (CFR) of 23.6%, compared to 18.6% during the same period in 2025. This comes as confirmed cases rose to 1,138 in 2026, up from 924 in 2025, according to the NCDC’s latest situation report from Premium Times Nigeria.
Nigeria Records 1134 Confirmed Cases of Lassa Fever, 267 DeathsOnyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) said Nigeria has recorded a total: of 1,134 confirmed cases of Lassa Fever with 267 deaths since pic.twitter.com/tlgpFtC0a3
Between January and September 20, 2026, Nigeria recorded 263 deaths and 1,115 confirmed cases of Lassa fever, according to the NCDC. The agency’s situation report, covering September 14–20, showed that the CFR rose to 23.6% compared to 18.5% during the same period in 2025. Confirmed infections were reported across 119 local government areas in 24 states, with Ondo, Bauchi, Taraba, Edo, and Benue accounting for 88% of cases, according to Channels Television.
Key Statistics and Regional Impact
Five states—Ondo, Bauchi, Taraba, Edo, and Benue—accounted for 88% of all confirmed Lassa fever cases in 2026, with Ondo reporting 36% of cases, Bauchi 23%, Taraba 12%, Edo 11%, and Benue 6%. These five states also saw 88% of the 268 deaths, according to the NCDC’s report from ReliefWeb.
Ondo reported 393 confirmed cases, with Bauchi at 260, Taraba at 133, Edo at 122, and Benue at 61. The remaining 12% of cases were reported across 19 other states. The majority of cases occurred in individuals aged 21–30, though confirmed cases spanned from 1 to 93 years. The male-to-female ratio for confirmed cases was 1:0.9, according to Premium Times Nigeria.
The number of new confirmed cases decreased from 13 in week 39 to 3 in week 40, all reported in Bauchi and Benue states.
Factors Contributing to High Fatality Rate
The NCDC attributed the high CFR to late presentation of cases at health facilities, high treatment costs, and poor health-seeking behavior in affected communities. A 2026 report from the World Health Organization (WHO) noted by Allafrica suggested that reduced response capacity in surveillance and laboratory testing also contributed to the surge.
The NCDC documented 8,218 suspected cases in the initial 38 weeks of 2026, an increase from 7,792 during the same timeframe in 2025. The agency’s report also highlighted challenges including inadequate environmental sanitation, low awareness in high-burden areas, and the high cost of treatment. These factors were cited as barriers to effective prevention and control, according to Premium Times Nigeria.
Response and Mitigation Efforts
The NCDC, with support from the WHO and the U.S. Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has developed a 30-day healthcare worker protection plan with support from the World Health Organization and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Community engagement activities, such as sensitization campaigns in Edo and Ondo states, have been conducted in collaboration with the National Orientation Agency.
🏥 Strengthening State-Level Response to Lassa Fever and Protecting Healthcare WorkersAs Nigeria continues to respond to Lassa fever, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has intensified efforts to strengthen the national response and support states in… pic.twitter.com/TwdKjEY60B
Ongoing Coordination and Calls for Improved Prevention Efforts
The National Lassa fever multisectoral multi-partner Technical Working Group (TWG) continues supporting the coordination of activities at all levels, as noted in ReliefWeb. In June 2026, a medical doctor in Benue State died from Lassa fever complications, prompting calls for improved prevention efforts, though no evidence suggests these measures have been fully implemented, according to Allafrica.
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The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control & Prevention (NCDC) with the support of Africa CDC, MSF, WHO and FHI 360 held a frontline Healthcare workers capacity building on Lassa fever case management and IPC from the 15th to the 19th of June 2026.The training targeted key… pic.twitter.com/la3dIfLQF7