The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed 747 cases of Lassa fever across 18 states, with 142 deaths recorded so far in 2025.
This was disclosed in the agency’s latest Lassa Fever Situation Report covering epidemiological week 22. According to the NCDC, the Case Fatality Rate (CFR) currently stands at 19.0%, slightly higher than the rate recorded in the same period in 2024.
The report also shows a marginal increase in new infections — from six in week 21 to eight in week 22 — with fresh cases emerging from Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, and Nasarawa states.
The disease continues to hit specific regions hardest, as 91% of confirmed cases were traced to five states: Ondo (31%), Bauchi (25%), Edo (16%), Taraba (16%), and Ebonyi (3%).
Demographically, the most affected age group remains 21 to 30 years, with a median age of 30. The gender distribution reveals a male-to-female ratio of 1:0.8 among confirmed cases.
While the total number of suspected and confirmed infections has dropped compared to last year, the NCDC assured that it remains on high alert. It noted ongoing coordination of response activities through a national multi-sectoral Incident Management System (IMS), involving several partners.
The report underscores the continued need for state-level and community support, and reiterates the importance of public education on how to prevent and control Lassa fever outbreaks.
The agency called on Nigerians to maintain vigilance and adopt precautionary measures, especially those in high-risk areas.
In stepping up its response efforts, the NCDC said it has taken a series of initiatives aimed at strengthening the national response.
“We have conducted a Lassa fever risk dynamic assessment and integrated Lassa fever key messages into other VHF’s risk communication strategies,” the report stated. “We have also launched the NCDC’s IPC e-learning platform, powered by DRASA and funded by the Global Fund.”
To bolster state-level response, the NCDC has deployed 10 National Rapid Response Teams to support affected states using a One Health approach. It also distributed copies of its Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) guidelines for Viral Haemorrhagic Fevers (VHF) to healthcare facilities with support from the Robert Koch Institute.
“We have supported State IPC structures, the Orange Network, and treatment centres to enforce standard precautions to reduce Hospital-Acquired Infections (HAIs) in high-burden LGAs and states,” the agency added.
In addition, the NCDC reported that it has hosted a series of clinical management webinars, collaborated with Georgetown University, and other organisations, and trained healthcare personnel in Bauchi, Ebonyi, and Benue with support from the World Health Organization.
The agency also revealed that it has forecasted and quantified essential Medical Countermeasures (MCMs), and distributed vital supplies including Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs), Ribavirin, and body bags to frontline states and designated treatment centres.
The NCDC stressed the importance of sustained intervention, community education, and collaboration in curbing the spread of the virus.
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