Nigeria: Lassa Fever Spreads Across 119 LGAs As Death Toll Hit 268

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has recorded 1,138 confirmed cases of Lassa fever and 268 deaths across 24 states, with the case fatality rate rising to 23.6 per cent.

The figures were contained in the agency's Lassa Fever Situation Report for epidemiological weeks 39 and 40, covering September 21 to October 4, 2026.

According to the report, the cumulative case fatality rate of 23.6 per cent was higher than the 18.6 per cent recorded during the corresponding period in 2025, indicating an increase in the proportion of confirmed cases resulting in deaths.

The NCDC disclosed that the disease had spread across 119 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in 24 states, with Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Benue and Edo accounting for 88 per cent of all confirmed cases recorded during the reporting period.

It also identified people aged between 21 and 30 years as the most affected age group.