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The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) on Tuesday disclosed that about 127 deaths have so far resulted from Lassa fever in the Nigeria in the year 2025.
According to the statistics on Lassa Fever Situation Report
Epi Week 14: 31st March – 6th April 2025 released on Tuesday, Ondo, Bauchi, and Edo States have emerged topmost of the outbreak, as they jointly accounting for 71% of all confirmed cases in Nigeria.
The NCDC situation report on Lassa Fever also showed that Ondo alone is contributing 30%, while Bauchi and Edo recorded 25% and 16% respectively.
It also showed that 28% were reported from 15 states with confirmed Lassa fever cases.
Analysis of the report also showed that in total for 2025, 18 States have recorded at least one confirmed case across 93 Local Government Areas,
The predominant age group affected, according to NCDC, is 21-30 years (Range: 1 to 94 years, Median Age: 30years).
It went further to disclose that the male-to-female ratio for confirmed cases is 1:0.8, while the number of suspected cases decreased compared to that reported for the same period in 2024.
Stressing that no new healthcare worker was affected in the reporting week 14, the report disclosed that the National Lassa fever multi-partner, multi-sectoral Incident Management System (IMS) was activated to coordinate the response activities at all levels
According to the NCDC Director-General, Dr Jide Idris, late presentation of cases and poor sanitary conditions are driving the fatality rate higher.
“Despite ongoing efforts, we’re still seeing avoidable deaths. The case fatality rate stands at 18.8% this year—slightly higher than the 18.5% recorded during the same period in 2024.”
The latest situation report also showed that a total of 674 cases have been confirmed from 4,025 suspected cases across 18 states and 93 local government areas.
It said that in the most recent week under review (31 March to 6 April), 15 new cases and five deaths were reported from six states: Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba, Ebonyi, and Gombe.
The report also showed that most of the confirmed cases are among young people aged 21 to 30 years.
It noted that poor awareness, environmental sanitation, and high cost of treatment are serious barriers.
While the NCDC disclosed that no new health worker infections were recorded in the reporting week, it however acknowledged persistent challenges, including limited community awareness and poor healthcare-seeking behaviour.
In order to check the spread, the NCDC has activated a multi-partner, multi-sectoral Incident Management System (IMS) at the national level, deployed rapid response teams to high-burden areas, and intensified community engagement.
NCDC also confirmed that essential medical supplies, including personal protective equipment and antiviral drugs like Ribavirin, have been distributed to states and treatment centres.
It said that surveillance, risk communication, and infection control measures are also ongoing.
The DG NCDC charged Nigerians to take preventive measures seriously.
“Avoid contact with rodents, maintain clean environments, and report to a health facility promptly if you have symptoms like fever, headache, or unexplained bleeding.”
The NCDC also urged the public to stay informed via the official NCDC website or call the toll-free line 6232.