The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported that at least 176 people have died from Lassa fever in 21 states.
According to the agency’s latest Lassa Fever Situation Report, 955 confirmed cases have been recorded from 8,367 suspected infections across 102 Local Government Areas (LGAs).
While the total number of infections has slightly decreased compared to the same period in 2024, the fatality rate has worsened—from 16.6% last year to 18.4% in 2025.
Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, and Taraba States remain the hardest hit, accounting for 88% of all confirmed cases so far. Ondo tops the list with 37% of infections, followed by Bauchi (21%), Edo (17%), and Taraba (13%).
During the most recent reporting week, confirmed cases increased slightly from nine in week 42 to 11 in week 43—all from Ondo State. The NCDC noted that those most affected are aged 21 – 30 years, with a median age of 30 and a male-to-female ratio of 1:0.8.
The agency attributed the rising death toll to late presentation of cases and poor health-seeking behaviour in affected communities. It also cited high treatment costs and poor sanitation as factors sustaining transmission in high-risk areas.
To strengthen control efforts, the NCDC said its multi-sectoral Technical Working Group—which includes the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, WHO, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), and the US CDC—continues to coordinate nationwide response activities.
Health workers in Bauchi, Benue, and Ebonyi States have been trained on case management, while community sensitisation and radio awareness campaigns are ongoing in hotspot areas like Ondo.
The agency also launched an Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) e-learning platform to train frontline workers and distributed ribavirin and protective equipment to treatment centres. No new healthcare worker infections were reported in week 43.
Additionally, the NCDC confirmed ongoing research collaborations with Georgetown University, MSF, and the Nigerian Lassa Fever Vaccine Taskforce to enhance vaccine development and outbreak preparedness.
The agency urged state governments to intensify community engagement and environmental health campaigns to curb further spread and advised healthcare workers to prioritise early diagnosis and timely treatment of suspected cases.
