The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) says 166 people have died from Lassa fever between January and September 2025, with the case fatality rate now higher than in 2024.
According to the agency’s Epidemiological Week 37 report, covering September 8–14, 895 confirmed cases were recorded across 21 states and 106 local government areas. This represents a case fatality rate (CFR) of 18.5 per cent, compared to 16.9 per cent within the same period in 2024.
The NCDC noted that while overall cases are fewer than last year, more patients are dying due to late presentation and poor health-seeking behaviour, often linked to the high cost of treatment.
Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba and Ebonyi states account for 90 per cent of all confirmed cases, with Ondo alone responsible for a third of infections. No new healthcare worker was infected during the reporting week.
The agency warned that poor environmental sanitation, weak awareness in high-burden communities and delayed treatment continue to fuel the spread and severity of the disease.
Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness transmitted to humans through food or household items contaminated by infected rodents, particularly the multi-mammate rat. Human-to-human transmission is also possible, especially in healthcare settings without adequate infection control.
Symptoms include fever, sore throat, chest pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, and in severe cases, unexplained bleeding. Nigeria bears the highest burden of the disease in West Africa.
To strengthen response, the NCDC said it has deployed 10 rapid response teams to affected states, launched new infection prevention and control (IPC) training modules, and supported clinical management fellowship programmes in collaboration with local and international partners.
The agency urged states to intensify community engagement and preventive campaigns and reminded healthcare workers to maintain high suspicion and initiate early treatment when symptoms appear.
