An ecologist extracts a sample of blood from a Mastomys Natalensis rodent in the village of Jormu in southeastern Sierra Leone February 8, 2011. Lassa fever, named after the Nigerian town where it was first identified in 1969, is among a U.S. list of "category A" diseases -- deemed to have the potential for major public health impact -- alongside anthrax and botulism. The disease is carried by the Mastomys Natalensis rodent, found across sub-Saharan Africa and often eaten as a source of protein. It infects an estimated 300,000-500,000 people each year, and kills about 5,000. Picture taken February 8, 2011. To match Reuters-Feature BIOTERROR-AFRICA/ REUTERS/Simon Akam (SIERRA LEONE - Tags: HEALTH SOCIETY ANIMALS) - GM1E72F07HC01
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported 1,000 confirmed cases of Lassa fever and 237 deaths nationwide by epidemiological week 30 of 2026.
According to the NCDC’s Lassa fever situation report released on Monday, the latest update covers epidemiological weeks 29 and 30, spanning July 13 to July 26, 2026, with cases recorded across several states.
The agency said the figures represented a case fatality rate (CFR) of 23.7 per cent, higher than the 18.8 per cent recorded during the corresponding period in 2025.
In week 30, new confirmed cases declined to 17 from the 20 cases recorded in week 29, indicating a slight reduction in transmission during the reporting period.
The 17 cases reported in week 30 were recorded in Ondo, Bauchi, Edo and Benue states, according to the NCDC.
By epidemiological week 30, a total of 23 states had recorded at least one confirmed Lassa fever case across 116 Local Government Areas.
Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Benue and Edo states accounted for 86 per cent of all confirmed cases reported during the period under review.
The NCDC said people aged 21 to 30 years remained the most affected age group during the reporting period.
The report also showed that one healthcare worker was infected with Lassa fever in week 30, compared with no infections among health workers in week 29.
In week 29, confirmed cases declined from 25 recorded in week 28 to 20, with cases reported in Ondo, Bauchi and Edo states.
