The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported a rise in the fatality rate of Lassa fever, warning that the disease continues to spread with new confirmed cases and increasing deaths.
According to the agency’s latest situation report for Epidemiological Week 23 (June 2–8, 2025), posted on its official website on Wednesday, a total of 758 confirmed Lassa fever cases and 143 deaths have been recorded across the country this year.
This represents a case fatality rate (CFR) of 18.9%, a notable increase from the 17.8% reported during the same period in 2024.
The report revealed that 11 new confirmed cases were recorded during the week under review—up from eight the previous week—with new infections reported in Ondo, Edo, Bauchi, and Taraba States.
“In 2025, 18 states have recorded at least one confirmed case of Lassa fever, across 96 Local Government Areas,” the NCDC stated.
It also noted that 90% of all confirmed cases have come from just five states:
- Ondo – 31%
- Bauchi – 25%
- Edo – 16%
- Taraba – 15%
- Ebonyi – 3%
The most affected demographic remains young adults aged 21 to 30, with a median age of 30 years.
In addition, one more healthcare worker was infected in the reporting week, bringing the total number of affected health workers in 2025 to 23.
The NCDC identified several challenges contributing to the ongoing spread, including:
- Late presentation of cases
- Poor health-seeking behavior
- High treatment costs
- Inadequate sanitation
- Low community awareness
To combat the outbreak, the agency said it had activated a multi-sectoral Incident Management System and deployed 10 Rapid Response Teams to the most affected states.
Other response efforts include:
- Training of health workers in case management
- Launch of an Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) e-learning platform
- Community sensitisation campaigns
- Environmental health interventions
- Media engagement in collaboration with key stakeholders
The NCDC advised the public to practice strict hygiene, seek early medical attention when symptoms occur, and avoid contact with rodents and their droppings—the primary vectors of the virus.
Lassa fever is a viral hemorrhagic illness transmitted predominantly through exposure to urine or faeces of infected rats. Human-to-human transmission can also occur in healthcare settings with inadequate infection control.
