Lassa Fever Claims 252 Lives as Confirmed Cases Rise to 1,035 — NCDC

Nigeria’s Lassa fever outbreak has claimed 252 lives, with the total number of confirmed infections rising to 1,035, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has said.

The latest situation report released by the agency in Abuja on Tuesday showed that 14 new confirmed cases were recorded during epidemiological week 33, covering August 10 to August 16.

The fresh infections were reported in Ondo, Bauchi, Edo and Benue states.

The NCDC said the death toll had risen to 252, while the case fatality rate increased to 24.4 per cent, compared with the 18.6 per cent recorded in 2025.

“The 14 new cases represented an increase from four cases reported during epidemiological week 32, when cases were recorded in Ondo and Edo states.

“In week 32, cumulative infections reached 1,021, with 240 deaths and a case fatality rate of 23.5 per cent,” it said.

The agency noted that the number of infections had fluctuated in recent weeks, pointing out that week 32 had recorded fewer cases than the preceding reporting period.

“The agency said that the week 32 figure represented a decline from 17 confirmed cases recorded during epidemiological week 31, indicating fluctuations in weekly transmission.”

By the end of week 33, Lassa fever had spread across 23 states and 117 local government areas, with five states accounting for the overwhelming majority of confirmed infections.

“By week 33, 23 states had reported at least one confirmed lassa fever case across 117 local government areas.

“Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Benue and Edo states accounted for 87 per cent of all confirmed cases recorded cumulatively by week 33.

“The five states also accounted for 86 per cent of confirmed cases in week 32, maintaining their position as the major affected states.

“People aged 21 to 30 years remain the predominant age group affected by lassa fever during both reporting weeks,” the agency said.

The NCDC also reported that no new infection involving healthcare workers was recorded during either week 32 or week 33.

According to the agency, surveillance and response activities would continue as the disease remains a major public health concern in affected parts of the country.

It said it would sustain efforts to monitor the outbreak and respond to new cases as they emerge across the states.