The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported that Lassa fever has claimed 138 lives across the country since January 2025, representing a concerning 19.3 percent case fatality rate.

According to the latest situation report released by the NCDC, this marks an increase from the 18.0 percent fatality rate recorded during the same period in 2024. The report further revealed that a total of 717 confirmed cases have been documented as of Epidemiological Week 18.

Four states - Ondo, Edo, Bauchi, and Benue - reported new cases in the current week alone. While the number of new confirmed cases slightly decreased from 11 to 10 in the past week, the overall death toll remains alarming.

The NCDC data indicates that three states account for 71 percent of all confirmed cases: Ondo (30 percent), Bauchi (25 percent), and Taraba (16 percent). These figures highlight persistent hotspots despite nationwide intervention efforts.

Young adults between 21-30 years represent the most affected age group, with males slightly more affected than females at a ratio of 1:0.8. While no healthcare workers were infected in the current reporting week, the NCDC noted that 22 healthcare workers have been affected so far this year.

Response Measures

In response to the outbreak, the NCDC has activated a multi-partner, multi-sectoral Incident Management System and deployed 10 Rapid Response Teams across affected states. The agency has intensified contact tracing and community sensitization efforts while distributing essential commodities including personal protective equipment (PPEs), Ribavirin, body bags, and disinfectants.

These response efforts are being conducted in collaboration with international partners such as the World Health Organization (WHO), Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), and Georgetown University.

The country has also conducted multiple webinars, capacity-building training sessions, and surveillance activities to combat the outbreak.

Challenges and Recommendations

Despite these efforts, the NCDC identified several challenges hampering response effectiveness, including late presentation of cases, poor health-seeking behavior, and low awareness levels in high-burden areas. Poor environmental sanitation was also cited as a contributing factor to disease spread.

The public health agency has urged Nigerians to maintain proper hygiene, report symptoms early, and avoid contact with rodents and their secretions to prevent further spread of the disease.

Lassa fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic illness caused by the Lassa virus, primarily transmitted to humans through contact with food or household items contaminated with rodent urine or feces.