Abuja268 people in Nigeria have died of Lassa fever this year.

The death rate is 23.6%, up from 18.6% a year ago, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control says.

Confirmed cases rose to 1,138 from 924, and the agency blames late presentation and treatment costs for the deaths.

New confirmed cases fell to 3 in week 40 from 13 the week before.

54 health workers have been infected in 2026, and rapid response teams are deployed in 7 high-burden states.

How each outlet framed it
Premium Times Nigeria leans critical
emphasizes the rising case fatality rate (23.6% vs 18.6%) and attributes it to late presentation and treatment costs

Sources: Premium Times Nigeria