Lassa fever: Young adults most affected as Nigeria records 1,035 cases, 252 deaths

People aged 21 to 30 years remain the predominant age group affected by Lassa fever in Nigeria, as the country recorded 1,035 confirmed cases and 252 deaths in 2026.

This was revealed in the latest situation report for epidemiological week 33, released by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) on Tuesday.

According to the NCDC’s report spanning 10 to 16 August, the confirmed cases were reported in 23 states and 117 local government areas (LGAs)

The report shows that confirmed cases were recorded among people aged between one and 93 years, with a median age of 30 years. The age and sex distribution showed that people aged 21 to 30 accounted for the largest share of confirmed cases among both males and females.

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The distribution between men and women was relatively close, with a male-to-female ratio of 1:0.9 among confirmed cases.

Cases rise in one week

The latest report showed a sharp increase in new confirmed cases from four in week 32 (3 to 9 August) to 14.

In week 33, the 14 new confirmed cases were recorded in Ondo, Edo, Bauchi and Benue states. Two deaths were also recorded during the week, compared with one death in week 32.

The week 32 report had recorded 140 suspected cases and four confirmed cases, with one death.

Cumulatively for 2026, Nigeria recorded 7,426 suspected cases, 1,035 confirmed cases and 252 deaths. The case fatality rate (CFR) also increased from 23.5 per cent in week 32 to 24.4 per cent in week 33.

Five states account for most cases

Ondo, Bauchi, Taraba, Edo and Benue accounted for 87 per cent of all confirmed cases as of week 33, while the remaining 18 affected states accounted for 13 per cent.

Ondo recorded the highest share, accounting for 33 per cent of confirmed cases, followed by Bauchi with 25 per cent, Taraba with 13 per cent, Edo with 10 per cent and Benue with six per cent.

The same five states accounted for 86 per cent of cases in week 32. The number of affected LGAs remained at 117 between weeks 32 and 33.

The report shows that health workers continue to be affected, with 54 infections recorded as of week 33. It also noted that 783 cases had been managed at treatment centres in 2026.

Late presentation remains a challenge

The NCDC identified late presentation of cases as one of the factors contributing to the high case fatality rate.

It also listed poor health-seeking behaviour linked to the high cost of treatment and clinical management, poor environmental sanitation in high-burden communities, poor awareness and healthcare worker infections among the challenges affecting the response.

It also urged healthcare workers to maintain a high level of suspicion for Lassa fever, ensure timely referral and treatment, and adhere to standard infection prevention and control procedures.

The NCDC said it would continue to collaborate with partners to strengthen state capacity to prevent, detect and respond to Lassa fever promptly.

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The latest situation report also listed several ongoing response activities, including the deployment of rapid response teams to seven high-burden states, active case search and contact tracing, training of frontline healthcare workers, pre-positioning of personal protective equipment, and community engagement activities in affected states.

Lassa fever

Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness caused by the Lassa virus, which is transmitted to humans primarily through contact with food or household items contaminated by the urine or faeces of infected rats.

It can also spread from person to person through contact with bodily fluids.

The disease often begins with fever, weakness, and headache, and may progress to more severe symptoms such as bleeding, difficulty breathing, swelling, and organ failure.

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