Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported that Lassa fever has claimed 168 lives in 2025, with infections spreading across 21 states and 106 local government areas.
Gatekeepers News reports that in its week 38 situation report, the agency disclosed that out of 4,543 suspected cases, 897 tested positive, representing a case fatality rate of 18.7 percent.
Ondo, Edo, Taraba, and Bauchi remain the hardest-hit states, accounting for 67 percent of confirmed cases, with Ondo recording the highest burden, followed by Edo and Bauchi.
Other affected states include Ebonyi, Benue, Kogi, Gombe, Plateau, Kaduna, Nasarawa, Enugu, Delta, Anambra, Rivers, Borno, Oyo, Ogun, the Federal Capital Territory, and Lagos.
According to NCDC, most confirmed cases fall within the 21–40 age bracket, a group described as the most socially and economically active, hence more exposed to rodent-borne transmission.
The agency added that infections also spread through human-to-human contact, particularly in health facilities without proper infection control.
While Lassa fever cases usually peak during the dry season, the NCDC noted that transmission has persisted year-round, keeping the outbreak a significant public health threat.
It further warned that Nigeria’s fatality rate remains above the national target of below 10 percent, with states like Taraba and Bauchi recording higher death rates.
The agency stressed that early treatment with ribavirin improves survival chances and highlighted ongoing efforts such as strengthened surveillance, diagnostic expansion, treatment support, and community sensitisation campaigns.
It also urged Nigerians to adopt preventive measures, including safe food storage, maintaining clean environments, and limiting contact with rodents.
