Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has reported 14 new confirmed cases of Lassa fever in epidemiological week 33, bringing the total number of infections recorded in the country this year to 1,035. The latest cases were recorded between August 10 and August 16, 2026, in Ondo, Bauchi, Edo and Benue states, according to the situation report released in Abuja on Tuesday, September 1, 2026. The NCDC also confirmed that cumulative deaths have increased to 252, while the case fatality rate has risen to 24.4 per cent – significantly higher than the 18.6 per cent recorded during the same period in 2025.
The 14 new cases represent a sharp increase from the four cases reported during epidemiological week 32, when infections were recorded only in Ondo and Edo states. In week 32, cumulative infections had reached 1,021, with 240 deaths and a case fatality rate of 23.5 per cent. The week 32 figure itself represented a decline from 17 confirmed cases recorded during epidemiological week 31, indicating persistent fluctuations in weekly transmission.
By week 33, 23 states had reported at least one confirmed Lassa fever case across 117 local government areas. Five states – Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Benue and Edo – accounted for 87 per cent of all confirmed cases recorded cumulatively by week 33. Ondo leads with 33 per cent of confirmed cases, followed by Bauchi at 25 per cent, Taraba at 13 per cent, Edo at 10 per cent and Benue at six per cent. These five states have maintained their position as the major affected areas, accounting for 86 per cent of confirmed cases in week 32.
People aged 21 to 30 years remain the predominant age group affected by Lassa fever. Confirmed cases have been recorded among people aged between one and 93 years, with a median age of 30 years and a male-to-female ratio of 1:0.9. A total of 54 healthcare workers have been infected in 2026, although no new healthcare worker infection was recorded during week 33.
The rising fatality rate has been attributed partly to delayed presentation and poor health-seeking behaviour, as well as the high cost of treatment and clinical management, poor environmental sanitation in high-burden communities, limited awareness and infections among healthcare workers. In response, the NCDC said it has intensified surveillance, contact tracing, laboratory testing, infection prevention and control, risk communication and case management across affected states. The agency has also introduced a 30-day Healthcare Worker Protection Plan, with support from the World Health Organisation and the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), aimed at reducing infections among frontline health workers. Personal protective equipment has been pre-positioned and distributed to health facilities, while national rapid response teams have been deployed to seven high-burden states. Healthcare workers are also receiving additional training in Lassa fever screening, triage, case management and infection prevention.
Lassa fever is an acute viral illness primarily transmitted through contact with food or household items contaminated by urine or faeces of infected multimammate rats. It can also spread from person to person, particularly in healthcare settings where infection-control measures are inadequate. The NCDC has urged states to intensify community engagement, particularly in high-burden areas, to improve awareness, strengthen prevention and encourage people with symptoms to seek medical attention early. The agency stressed that strengthening the ability of states to prevent, detect and respond rapidly to Lassa fever remains critical to reducing deaths from the disease.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments