Lassa fever has claimed 138 lives in Nigeria so far in 2025, with a case fatality rate of 19.3 per cent – an increase from 18.0 per cent recorded during the same period in 2024, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).
In its latest situation report published on its website, the NCDC revealed that 717 confirmed cases have been recorded across 18 states as of Epidemiological Week 18. Four new states – Ondo, Edo, Bauchi and Benue – reported cases within the current week, highlighting the continued spread of the viral disease.
Although the number of new confirmed cases slightly declined from 11 to 10 over the past week, the death toll remains a major concern, the agency noted.
The report indicated that 71 per cent of all confirmed cases came from just three states: Ondo (30 per cent), Bauchi (25 per cent) and Taraba (16 per cent), pointing to persistent hotspots despite ongoing public health interventions.
The most affected age group is 21–30 years, with males being more impacted than females, with a male-to-female ratio of 1:0.8.
While no healthcare workers were infected in the current reporting week, 22 healthcare workers have been affected since the beginning of the year, underscoring the occupational risks involved.
To tackle the outbreak, the NCDC has activated a multi-sectoral Incident Management System and deployed 10 Rapid Response Teams to the most affected states. The agency has intensified contact tracing, community sensitisation, and distribution of critical medical supplies, including personal protective equipment (PPE), Ribavirin, body bags and disinfectants.
The response has been in partnership with global health agencies such as the World Health Organisation (WHO), Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and Georgetown University. Joint efforts have also included webinars, capacity-building trainings and active surveillance to strengthen the response.
However, the NCDC identified several challenges hampering the response, including late presentation of cases, poor health-seeking behaviour, low public awareness and inadequate environmental sanitation in high-risk areas.
The agency continues to urge Nigerians to maintain proper hygiene, avoid contact with rodents and their secretions, and report symptoms early.
“The public is encouraged to follow NCDC advisories and call the toll-free line 6232 for any inquiries,” the agency said.
Lassa fever is a viral hemorrhagic illness primarily transmitted through contact with the urine or faeces of infected rats. It can also spread through human-to-human contact via bodily fluids, contaminated objects, or medical instruments. Symptoms range from fever and sore throat to bleeding in severe cases.
