Nigeria recorded 37 new confirmed cases and eight deaths from Lassa fever in epidemiological weeks 29 and 30, taking the cumulative number of confirmed cases in 2026 to 1,000 and fatalities to 237 across 23 States and 116 Local Government Areas (LGAs).
The figures, covering July 13 to 26, 2026, also show a rise in the cumulative case fatality rate (CFR) from 23.5 percent at the end of week 29 to 23.7 percent in week 30, both higher than the corresponding figures recorded in 2025.
In epidemiological week 29, covering July 13 to 19, Nigeria recorded 20 new confirmed cases and two deaths, bringing the cumulative number of confirmed cases to 983 and fatalities to 231. 
The CFR stood at 23.5 percent, compared with 18.9 percent recorded during the corresponding period in 2025.
By the end of week 29, the outbreak had spread to 23 States and 114 LGAs, with five States of Ondo, Bauchi, Taraba, Edo and Benue accounting for 86 percent of all confirmed cases.
Ondo recorded the highest proportion of cases at 32 percent, followed by Bauchi at 25 percent, Taraba at 13 percent, Edo at 10 percent and Benue at six percent.
The remaining 14 percent of cases were distributed across 18 other States.
The 21–30 age group remained the most affected, with the median age of confirmed cases standing at 30 years.
Cases were recorded among people aged between one and 93 years, while the male-to-female ratio was 1:0.9.
No new infection among healthcare workers was recorded during week 29.
The situation recorded a further increase in week 30, covering July 20 to 26, when 17 new confirmed cases and six deaths were reported.
The additional cases and deaths pushed the cumulative figures to 1,000 confirmed cases and 237 deaths, while the number of affected LGAs increased from 114 to 116.
The cumulative CFR also rose to 23.7 percent, compared with 18.8 percent during the corresponding period in 2025.
The geographical distribution of the outbreak, as indicated by the report, remained unchanged, with Ondo, Bauchi, Taraba, Edo and Benue still accounting for 86 percent of confirmed cases, at 32 percent, 25 percent, 13 percent, 10 percent and six percent respectively.
Young adults aged 21 to 30 years continued to constitute the most affected age group, with the median age remaining at 30 years.
Unlike the preceding week, the report showed that one new infection among a healthcare worker was recorded in week 30, highlighting the continuing risk of occupational exposure to the disease.
NCDC assured that the National Lassa Fever multisectoral, multi-partner Technical Working Group will continue to coordinate the national response, including surveillance, containment, environmental sanitation campaigns and healthcare logistics.
The agency urged preventive measures aimed at reducing exposure to Mastomys rodents, the primary reservoir of Lassa fever, as well as preventing human-to-human transmission.
Residents were advised to maintain clean surroundings, dispose of refuse properly, eliminate conditions that attract rodents and store food in rodent-proof containers.
They were also advised to seal openings through which rodents can enter homes and avoid handling or consuming wild rodents.
According to the agency, for suspected cases, early detection, immediate isolation and appropriate use of personal protective equipment by healthcare workers and caregivers remain critical to limiting further transmission.
