By Yahaya Umar, AbujaNigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC has said that no fewer than 17 people have died from Lassa fever across eight states in Nigeria in the first three weeks of 2026. The centre said that the country recorded 93 confirmed cases from the states. The agency said that 89% of all confirmed cases were reported from Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba and Edo states, while the remaining 11% came from five other states. Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness caused by the Lassa virus, first identified in 1969 in the town of Lassa, Borno State. The total number of suspected and confirmed cases in January 2026 is lower than last year’s figures, experts however expressed concern over the sharp rise in CFR.