Nigeria recorded 263 deaths from Lassa fever and 1,115 confirmed cases between January and September 20, 2026, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).

The agency disclosed this in its situation report for September 14 to 20, which showed that the case fatality rate increased to 23.6 per cent, compared with 18.5 per cent recorded during the corresponding period in 2025.

The report indicated that Nigeria recorded 906 confirmed cases and 168 deaths within the same period last year, highlighting an increase in infections and fatalities in 2026.

The NCDC also recorded 8,218 suspected cases during the first 38 weeks of this year, compared with 7,792 in the corresponding period of 2025.

Confirmed infections were reported across 119 local government areas in 24 states.Ondo, Bauchi, Taraba, Edo and Benue accounted for approximately 87 per cent of confirmed cases.

Ondo recorded the highest number with 393 infections, followed by Bauchi with 260, Taraba with 133, Edo with 122 and Benue with 61.

During the reporting week, Nigeria recorded 11 new confirmed cases and four deaths, while 120 suspected cases were reported. The weekly confirmed case count fell from 17 in week 37.

The NCDC attributed the rising case fatality rate partly to late presentation at health facilities.

It also identified the high cost of treatment, poor environmental sanitation, low public awareness in affected communities and infections among healthcare workers as challenges to controlling the disease.

The agency urged state governments to sustain community awareness campaigns and strengthen year-round prevention efforts.

It also called on healthcare workers to maintain a high index of suspicion, ensure prompt referrals and treatment, and adhere strictly to infection prevention and control procedures.

The NCDC said its response activities included active case searches, contact tracing, training for frontline healthcare workers, distribution of protective equipment and continued laboratory testing.