Nigeria, March 16 -- The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported a decline in new Lassa fever infections, with confirmed cases dropping to 65 in Epidemiological Week 9 of 2026.

However, the death toll from the disease has risen to 109 so far this year, according to the agency's latest Lassa Fever Situation Report covering 23 February to 1 March 2026.

The report shows that the number of new confirmed cases decreased from 77 recorded in Week 8 to 65 in the latest reporting week.

The infections were recorded in Bauchi, Taraba, Benue, Ondo, Edo, Plateau and Nasarawa States.

The NCDC said the case fatality rate currently stands at 23.2 per cent, higher than the 18.7 per cent recorded during the same period in ...