The Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr Jide Idris, has disclosed that the country has recorded 832 confirmed cases of Lassa fever and Mpox.
Dr Idris, who said this at the national health security press briefing in Abuja, noted that the country also recorded 135 deaths from the diseases so far in 2025.
He, however, said the agency remains steadfast in its mandate to protect public health by providing timely, transparent, and accurate health information.
He stated that the agency, in collaboration with State Health Authorities and Partners, continues to monitor the diseases through national surveillance platforms while proactively supporting affected states with timely interventions.
He highlighted that there is a steady decline in Lassa fever cases in epidemiological week 16, ending April 20, 2025.
Speaking on cerebrospinal meningitis, he noted that as of week 14, the data for CSM showed a steady decline in new cases and fatalities over the past three weeks, signaling that control measures are beginning to have an impact..
The NCDC boss revealed that since the beginning of 2025, Nigeria has continued to monitor and respond to Mpox outbreaks across the country through coordinated national surveillance efforts.
He added that Cumulatively, as of epidemiological week 16, the country has reported 4,253 suspected cases of Lassa fever, 696 confirmed cases, and 132 deaths. The overall Case Fatality Rate of 19.0 per cent
He also highlighted that there is a steady decline in Lassa fever cases in epidemiological week 16, ending April 20, 2025
Speaking on cerebrospinal meningitis, he noted that as of week 14, the data for CSM showed a steady decline in new cases and fatalities over the past three weeks, signaling that control measures are beginning to have an impact.
The NCDC boss revealed that since the beginning of 2025, Nigeria has continued to monitor and respond to Mpox outbreaks across the country through coordinated national surveillance efforts.
.He emphasized that Mpox is affecting individuals across a wide range of professions, including students, traders, civil servants, and healthcare workers, highlighting the risk of both community and healthcare-associated (nosocomial) transmission, especially in high-contact settings.He noted that the appropriate comprehensive and multi-tiered response strategy is currently in place, including the following key interventions for the diseases
He disclosed that Cumulatively, as of epidemiological week 16, the country has reported 4,253 suspected cases of Lassa fever, 696 confirmed cases, and 132 deaths. The overall Case Fatality Rate of 19.0 per cent.
He highlighted that there is a steady decline in Lassa fever cases in epidemiological week 16, ending April 20, 2025.
Speaking on cerebrospinal meningitis, he noted that as of week 14, the data for CSM showed a steady decline in new cases and fatalities over the past three weeks, signaling that control measures are beginning to have an impact.
“Surveillance, treatment, and vaccination strategies are being dynamically adapted to emerging data, with a strong focus on community trust and early care seeking.
So while the outbreak remains serious, national and sub-national coordination, improved preparedness, and vaccination efforts are turning the tide.
“The response will be sustained until full containment is achieved and state-level ownership of the CSM Incident Action Plan is realized,” he said.
The NCDC boss revealed that since the beginning of 2025, Nigeria has continued to monitor and respond to Mpox outbreaks across the country through coordinated national surveillance efforts.
“From week one to Week 16 of 2025, a total of 723 suspected cases of Mpox were reported across 35 states and the Federal Capital Territory. Of these, 136 cases were laboratory-confirmed, spanning 27 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The geographic distribution map for this period shows that nearly all states have reported suspected cases, with a significant concentration of confirmed cases occurring in the southern and central regions of the country.
He emphasized that Mpox is affecting individuals across a wide range of professions, including students, traders, civil servants, and healthcare workers, highlighting the risk of both community and healthcare-associated (nosocomial) transmission, especially in high-contact settings.
He noted that the appropriate comprehensive and multi-tiered response strategy is currently in place, including the following key interventions for the diseases.
The National Rapid Response Teams have been deployed to hot spot states to strengthen the response capacity of local health authorities. Essential medicines, intravenous fluids, personal protective equipment, laboratory consumables, and other necessary materials have been strategically distributed to / prepositioned in states to ensure timely access during case surges.
Idris noted that the capacity of State laboratories has been strengthened to conduct appropriate testing and ship samples for confirmation to the NCDC National Reference Laboratory in Abuja and the Central Public Health Laboratory in Yaba, Lagos
He further stated that five more mpox laboratories have been optimized in five geopolitical zones – Bauchi, Kano, Cross River, Rivers & Enugu states; and mentorship is being provided to improve sample management, handling, and result reporting.
