Nigeria has 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.

The agency says the case fatality rate has risen to 23.6 per cent, compared with 18.5 per cent during the same period last year. A total of 8,218 suspected cases have been reported across the country, with confirmed infections recorded in 24 states and 119 local government areas.

Ondo State has the highest number of confirmed cases at 393, followed by Bauchi with 260, Taraba with 133, Edo with 122 and Benue with 61. Together, the five states account for about 87 per cent of confirmed infections.

The NCDC identifies late presentation at health facilities, high treatment costs and poor environmental sanitation as major challenges. It has urged states to strengthen public awareness and advised healthcare workers to ensure early detection, prompt treatment and strict infection-prevention measures.