Nigeria, May 14 -- The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has raised concerns over rising deaths from Lassa fever, warning that delayed treatment and poor health-seeking behaviour are contributing to a worsening fatality rate across the country.

In its latest Lassa Fever Situation Report for Epidemiological Week 18, covering 27 April to 3 May 2026, the agency said 191 deaths have been recorded so far this year, with the case fatality rate rising to 24.6 per cent.

The figure is significantly higher than the 19.2 per cent recorded during the same period in 2025.

The report also showed that confirmed infections increased from nine cases recorded in Week 17 to 22 cases in Week 18, with the latest infections reported i...