Nigeria: Lassa Fever Death Toll Hits 252
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention reports a rise in Lassa fever cases, with 14 new infections bringing the cumulative total to 1,035. The death toll has reached 252, with the case fatality rate climbing to 24.4 percent.
Why it matters
The increasing fatality rate highlights a growing public health crisis in Nigeria that requires urgent surveillance and medical intervention.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported 14 new confirmed Lassa fever cases in week 33, bringing cumulative infections to 1,035.
The latest cases were recorded between August 10 and August 16, in Ondo, Bauchi, Edo and Benue states, according to the situation report released in Abuja on Tuesday.
According to the agency, cumulative deaths increased to 252, while the case fatality rate rose to 24.4 per cent, higher than the 18.6 per cent recorded in 2025.
"The 14 new cases represented an increase from four cases reported during epidemiological week 32, when cases were recorded in Ondo and Edo states.
"In week 32, cumulative infections reached 1,021, with 240 deaths and a case fatality rate of 23.5 per cent," it said.
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