The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported a decline in new Lassa fever infections, with three confirmed cases recorded in epidemiological week 40, compared with 13 cases in the preceding week.
The cases were reported in Bauchi and Benue States, according to the agency’s situation report covering Sept. 28 to Oct. 4, 2026.
Despite the decline in new infections, the cumulative number of confirmed cases has risen to 1,138, with 268 deaths recorded since the beginning of the year.
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The report put the case fatality rate at 23.6 per cent, higher than the 18.6 per cent recorded during the corresponding period in 2025.
It stated that 24 states had reported confirmed cases across 119 Local Government Areas, with Ondo, Bauchi, Taraba, Edo and Benue accounting for 88 per cent of the infections.
According to the report, people aged between 21 and 30 years remain the most affected age group, while no new infection among healthcare workers was recorded during the week under review.
The NCDC identified late presentation at health facilities, high treatment costs, poor environmental sanitation and inadequate public awareness in high-burden communities as major challenges to controlling the disease.
To strengthen prevention efforts, the agency urged state governments to intensify year-round community engagement on Lassa fever prevention.
It also advised healthcare workers to maintain a high index of suspicion for the disease, ensure prompt referrals and treatment, and comply with infection prevention and control procedures.
The agency further called for stronger state-level capacity to prevent, detect and respond promptly to Lassa fever outbreaks.
In its report for epidemiological week 39, covering Sept. 21 to 27, the NCDC recorded 13 new confirmed cases in Ondo State, bringing the cumulative infections to 1,134 and deaths to 267, with the case fatality rate at 23.6 per cent.
