Lassa fever deaths hit 258 as fatality rate rises to 24%

By Chioma Obinn a
Nigeria recorded 18 new confirmed cases of Lassa fever in epidemiological week 35, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in 2026 to 1,074, with 258 deaths recorded across 24 states.
The latest Lassa Fever Situation Report by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, NCDC, covering August 24 to 30, 2026, showed that the 18 new cases were reported in Ondo, Edo and Bauchi states.
The cumulative case fatality rate, CFR, has consequently risen to 24 per cent, significantly higher than the 18.6 per cent recorded during the corresponding period in 2025, when 162 deaths were reported.
The NCDC said the number of new confirmed cases declined from 21 in...