Nigeria's Lassa fever outbreak has worsened, with 237 deaths recorded from 1,000 confirmed cases so far in 2026, pushing the Case Fatality Rate to 23.7 per cent.

According to the latest situation report by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, covering epidemiological week 30, the fatality rate is higher than the 18.8 per cent recorded during the corresponding period in 2025.

Although the number of new confirmed cases declined from 20 in week 29 to 17 in week 30, the cumulative death toll rose from 231 to 237, highlighting the continued severity of the outbreak.

The 17 new confirmed cases recorded between July 20 and 26 were reported in Ondo, Bauchi, Edo and Benue states. The NCDC said 23 states have now recorded at least one confirmed case across 116 Local Government Areas, indicating that the disease continues to spread across several parts of the country.

The NCDC attributed the high number of deaths to factors including late presentation, the high cost of treatment and poor health-seeking behaviour. It also identified poor environmental sanitation in high-burden communities, inadequate public awareness and continued infections among healthcare workers as challenges affecting efforts to contain the disease.

The agency urged Nigerians to seek medical attention promptly when they develop symptoms suggestive of Lassa fever, warning that delayed presentation can worsen outcomes.

— PUNCH