Nigeria, May 12 -- The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported 190 deaths from Lassa fever in 2026, with the disease's fatality rate rising above figures recorded during the same period last year.

In its latest Lassa Fever Situation Report for Epidemiological Week 17, covering 20 to 26 April 2026, the agency said the case fatality rate (CFR) stood at 25.2 per cent, compared to 19.1 per cent recorded within the same period in 2025.

The report indicated that although new confirmed infections declined during the reporting week, concerns remain over late presentation of cases, poor health-seeking behaviour, and infections among healthcare workers.

According to the NCDC, confirmed cases dropped from 29 recorded...