The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported 172 deaths from Lassa fever across 21 states of the federation.
According to the agency’s Lassa Fever Situation Report for Week 40 (September 29 – October 5, 2025), the fatalities represent a Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 18.6 per cent, higher than the 17 per cent recorded during the same period in 2024.
The report shows that 924 confirmed cases and 8,041 suspected cases have been recorded in 106 Local Government Areas across the affected states.
The NCDC identified Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba, and Ebonyi as the five states accounting for 90 per cent of all confirmed cases, with Ondo alone responsible for 35 per cent.
It noted that the number of confirmed cases increased from four in Week 39 to 13 in Week 40, all reported in Ondo State.
The agency stated that the most affected age group was 21 to 30 years, with a male-to-female ratio of 1:0.8, and added that no new healthcare worker infections were recorded during the period under review.
The NCDC attributed the high fatality rate to late presentation of cases and poor health-seeking behaviour among residents of high-burden communities. It also cited poor environmental sanitation and low public awareness as key drivers of transmission.
To strengthen response efforts, the centre said it had deployed 10 national rapid response teams to affected states, adopting a One Health approach. Other ongoing interventions include training of healthcare workers, risk communication campaigns, and distribution of essential response commodities such as Ribavirin, personal protective equipment (PPEs), and thermometers to treatment centres.
The NCDC also highlighted ongoing initiatives such as the INTEGRATE clinical trial in Ondo State, capacity-building workshops for clinicians, and environmental health campaigns in high-burden communities.
It urged states to intensify community engagement on prevention, early case detection, and prompt referral of suspected cases. Healthcare workers were also advised to maintain a high index of suspicion and ensure timely initiation of treatment to reduce fatalities.
Lassa fever is a viral haemorrhagic disease endemic in Nigeria, transmitted primarily through contact with food or household items contaminated by infected rodents. It can also spread from person to person, particularly in healthcare settings lacking strict infection prevention and control measures.
The illness is characterized by fever, weakness, vomiting, and bleeding, and can lead to organ failure in severe cases. Nigeria continues to bear the highest global burden of Lassa fever, with most cases recorded in Ondo, Edo, Bauchi, Taraba, and Ebonyi states.
The disease typically peaks during the dry season (December to April) and remains a major public health challenge due to its high mortality rate and late case presentation.
