Northern Nigeria is bearing the brunt of the 2025 Lassa fever outbreak, with Taraba and Bauchi States recording the highest number of fatalities, according to the latest situation report from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).
The report, covering January 1 to May 4, 2025, reveals that Taraba State tops the list with 34 deaths, followed closely by Bauchi with 15 fatalities. These figures contribute significantly to the nationwide death toll of 138 spread across 15 states.
Outbreak Statistics
Out of 4,881 suspected cases reported across 93 local government areas in 18 states, 717 have been confirmed. The data shows that three northern states—Taraba, Bauchi, and Gombe—account for a large portion of the fatalities, with Gombe recording seven deaths.
Plateau and Benue have each reported five deaths, while Kogi and Nasarawa both have four deaths, and Kaduna has recorded two. Notably, Taraba, Bauchi, and Ondo States alone account for 71% of the total confirmed cases, with Bauchi contributing 25% and Taraba 16%.
Demographics of Affected Population
The affected age group ranges from one to 96 years, with individuals between 21 and 30 years old being the most impacted demographic. The median age of confirmed cases is 30, and the male-to-female ratio stands at 1:0.8.
The overall Case Fatality Rate (CFR) for the year is 19.3%, showing a slight increase from 18.0% recorded in the same period in 2024.
Response Efforts
The NCDC has reaffirmed that its National Lassa Fever Multi-Partner, Multi-Sectoral Incident Management System remains operational, coordinating the national response in collaboration with federal, state, and local authorities.
The agency is urging continued vigilance and early reporting, especially in northern states where access to healthcare and surveillance remains a challenge. Health officials emphasize the importance of maintaining proper hygiene and implementing preventive measures to reduce the spread of the disease.
As the outbreak continues, health authorities are working to enhance surveillance systems and improve access to treatment facilities, particularly in the most affected regions of Northern Nigeria.
