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5 clusters · 19 sources · 50 days · First seen · Last updated

Nigeria Lassa fever outbreak – August 2026

Overview

In early June 2026, Nigeria experienced a sharp rise in Lassa fever. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) reported 214 deaths and a 25% case-fatality rate for the week of 1–7 June, a significant increase from the 18.9% rate recorded during the same period in 2025. The outbreak spanned 23 states and 109 local government areas, with five states—Ondo, Bauchi, Taraba, Edo, and Benue—accounting for approximately 84% to 85% of infections. Young adults aged 21–30 remained the most affected demographic.

To address the crisis, the Federal Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) provided a N250 million Mega Research Grant to the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo. This project aims to identify the quickest route to developing Nigeria’s first indigenous Lassa fever vaccine and could support the creation of a national vaccine development centre.

By the end of July (week 28), cumulative totals reached 963 laboratory-confirmed infections and 229 deaths, with a case-fatality rate of 23.8%. The disease spread to 114 local government areas, adding Kogi and Cross River to the list of affected regions.

By the end of the first 30 epidemiological weeks of 2026, the NCDC reported 1,000 confirmed cases and 237 deaths, maintaining a case-fatality rate of 23.7%. The outbreak has since spread to 116 local government areas. Health authorities attribute the high mortality to patients seeking medical treatment at late stages of the illness, alongside poor sanitation and limited community awareness. The disease is primarily transmitted through contact with food or items contaminated by rodent excreta.

Entities

Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention · Ondo State · Nigeria · Taraba State · Bauchi State

Timeline

  1. 17 days ago

    [HEALTH] 5 sources
    Nigeria Lassa fever fatalities rise to 237 in 2026

    Nigeria's Lassa fever outbreak has seen 237 deaths and 1,000 confirmed cases in 2026, with the fatality rate rising to 23.7%. Five states account for 86% of all confirmed infections.

  2. about 1 month ago

    [HEALTH] 5 sources
    Nigeria reports 229 deaths as Lassa fever cases climb to 963

    Nigeria's NCDC reports 963 Lassa fever cases and 229 deaths in week 28 of 2026, with a 23.8% fatality rate as the outbreak spreads across 23 states.

  3. about 1 month ago

    [HEALTH] 3 sources
    Nigeria Lassa Fever Outbreak Reaches 922 Cases and 221 Deaths

    Nigeria's Lassa fever outbreak has recorded 922 cases and 221 deaths (24% CFR), with most infections in Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Benue and Edo; NCDC urges hygiene and rodent control.

  4. about 2 months ago

    [HEALTH] 5 sources
    Nigeria's TETFund urges scientists to fast‑track first Lassa fever vaccine

    TETFund’s Sonny Echono asks Nigerian scientists to fast‑track an indigenous Lassa fever vaccine, citing 5‑10 k annual deaths, and plans to forward research to health authorities for a national vaccine centre.

  5. 2 months ago

    [HEALTH] 4 sources
    Nigeria Lassa Fever Death Toll Reaches 214 as Fatality Rate Rises to 25%

    Nigeria reports 214 Lassa fever deaths, a 25 % fatality rate, with the disease now in 23 states; response efforts intensify.

Sources

dailyreport.ng · healthwise.punchng.com · kibrisgazetesi.com · master.com.cy · nationalaccordnewspaper.com · news-medical.net · news.az · newscentral.africa · newtelegraphng.com · phenomenal.com.ng · pmnewsnigeria.com · punchng.com · realnewsmagazine.net · thenigerialawyer.com · thewhistler.ng · thisdaylive.com · tribuneonlineng.com · tvcnews.tv · worldstagenews.com