Lassa fever has claimed the lives of 127 people in Nigeria since the beginning of 2025, spreading across 18 states and 93 Local Government Areas, according to the latest situation report released by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC). The report, which covers Epidemiological Week 14 — from March 31 to April 6 — shows that 15 new confirmed cases and five deaths were recorded within the week.
So far this year, 674 confirmed cases have emerged from a total of 4,025 suspected cases. The current case fatality rate (CFR) stands at 18.8 percent, slightly higher than the 18.5 percent recorded at the same time last year. In comparison, the total number of confirmed cases in 2024 had reached 817 by Week 14, with 151 deaths.
Ondo, Bauchi, and Edo remain the most affected states, collectively accounting for over 71 percent of all confirmed cases. Ondo tops the list with 30 percent, followed by Bauchi with 25 percent, and Edo with 16 percent. The remaining confirmed cases are spread across 15 other states, showing that the disease continues to pose a serious public health challenge nationwide.
The report also reveals that young adults are the most affected demographic, with the majority of confirmed cases falling within the 21 to 30-year age range. The median age of patients is 30, while the overall age range stretches from one to 94 years. A slightly higher proportion of the confirmed cases are male.
No new infections were recorded among healthcare workers during the week under review. However, 20 healthcare workers have been infected since the beginning of the year. The NCDC continues to emphasize protection for health personnel, especially those in high-burden states, through consistent training and improved access to infection prevention materials.
To contain the outbreak, the NCDC has activated its multi-sectoral Incident Management System at the national level. Response measures include the deployment of Rapid Response Teams to affected states such as Gombe, Nasarawa, and Benue, as well as the distribution of essential commodities like personal protective equipment, Ribavirin, disinfectants, and hygiene materials to treatment centres. The agency is also conducting nationwide sensitization campaigns in partnership with organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), UNICEF, Georgetown Global Health, and Breakthrough Action Nigeria.
Despite these efforts, the agency acknowledges several challenges undermining the response, including late presentation of cases at health facilities, low health-seeking behaviour among affected populations, poor awareness of the disease, and inadequate environmental sanitation in many high-risk communities. These factors continue to contribute to the rising fatality rate, especially in states where health systems are under pressure.
The NCDC has urged Nigerians to remain alert and take preventive measures seriously. Members of the public are advised to avoid contact with rats, store food properly, maintain clean surroundings, and report any unusual symptoms — such as persistent fever, headache, sore throat, vomiting, chest pain, or unexplained bleeding — to the nearest health facility for prompt diagnosis and treatment.
