The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported 145 Lassa fever-related deaths in the country as of Epidemiological Week 25, with the case fatality rate (CFR) rising to 18.6 percent. This marks a concerning increase from the 17.6 percent reported during the same period in 2024.
According to the latest NCDC report covering June 16-22, health authorities have confirmed 781 cases out of 5,943 suspected cases across 20 states and 101 Local Government Areas (LGAs). The current reporting week saw 10 new confirmed cases in Ondo and Edo States, slightly up from eight cases recorded in the previous week.
Geographic Distribution of Cases
The NCDC data reveals that five states account for an overwhelming 91 percent of all confirmed cases in 2025. Ondo State leads with 31 percent of cases, followed by Bauchi (24 percent), Edo (17 percent), Taraba (16 percent), and Ebonyi (3 percent).
The disease continues to predominantly affect young adults, with the 21-30 age group being the most impacted demographic. Males are slightly more affected than females, with a male-to-female ratio of 1:0.8.
Factors Contributing to High Fatality Rate
The NCDC has identified several factors contributing to the increased fatality rates, including late presentation at healthcare facilities, high treatment costs, and poor health-seeking behavior among the population. However, the agency noted that no new infections among healthcare workers were recorded during the reporting week, which is a positive development in the containment efforts.
Lassa fever, an acute viral hemorrhagic illness, is transmitted to humans through contact with food or household items contaminated with rodent urine or feces. Person-to-person transmission can occur through direct contact with the blood, urine, feces, or other bodily secretions of an infected person.
Health experts continue to advise Nigerians to maintain good personal and environmental hygiene, store food in rodent-proof containers, and seek medical attention promptly if symptoms such as fever, headache, sore throat, general body weakness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain are observed.
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