The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, NCDC has reported 1,138 confirmed cases of Lassa fever and 268 deaths across 24 states, with the case fatality rate standing at 23.6 per cent.
The agency disclosed this in a statement on Monday, citing its 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.
The NCDC said 24 states had recorded at least one confirmed case across 119 Local Government Areas, LGAs nationwide.
It added that Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Benue and Edo states accounted for 88 per cent of all confirmed cases recorded during the reporting period.
The report identified people aged between 21 and 30 as the most affected age group, while no new healthcare worker infection was recorded during weeks 39 and 40.
During epidemiological week 40, covering September 28 to October 4, Nigeria recorded three new confirmed cases, down from the 13 cases reported in week 39.
The three new cases were reported in Bauchi and Benue states, according to the report.
For week 39, covering September 21 to 27, the NCDC recorded 13 new confirmed cases, compared with 11 cases reported in week 38. The new infections during the period were reported in Ondo State.
The agency said Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness primarily transmitted through contact with food or household items contaminated by the urine or faeces of infected rodents.
It added that the disease could also spread through contact with the bodily fluids of infected persons, particularly in healthcare settings where appropriate infection prevention and control measures were not observed.
The NCDC advised members of the public to maintain good environmental sanitation, store food in rodent-proof containers and avoid contact with rats to reduce the risk of infection.
The situation report provides updates on confirmed cases, deaths, affected states and LGAs, as well as the distribution of infections across different age groups.
(NAN)
