The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed 563 cases of Lassa fever out of 2,960 suspected cases, with 103 deaths recorded as of March 9, 2025.
According to the NCDC’s Week 10 situation report, the disease has now spread across 14 states and 78 local government areas, with a Case Fatality Ratio (CFR) of 18.3 percent.
Ondo, Bauchi, and Edo remain the worst-hit states, accounting for 73 percent of all confirmed cases. Ondo recorded 175 cases, Bauchi 139, and Edo 98. Other states with confirmed cases include Taraba (84), Ebonyi (17), Kogi (15), Gombe (11), Plateau (10), Benue (5), Nasarawa (3), Delta (2), Cross River (2), Enugu (1), and Anambra (1).
The NCDC noted that the number of new confirmed cases decreased slightly from 29 in the previous week to 28. However, health officials remain on high alert as Lassa fever, a viral hemorrhagic disease spread by infected rodents, tends to spike during Nigeria’s dry season.
“In total for 2025, 14 states have recorded at least one confirmed case across 78 Local Government Areas. The male-to-female ratio for confirmed cases is 1:0.8, with the predominant age group affected being 21-30 years,” the report stated.
The agency also revealed that one healthcare worker was infected in the past week, bringing the total number of affected health workers under surveillance. Additionally, 351 individuals have been identified for follow-up due to possible exposure.
The NCDC assured the public that a national multi-sectoral response team remains active to coordinate efforts aimed at controlling the outbreak. The agency urged Nigerians to maintain proper hygiene, store food in rodent-proof containers, and seek medical attention promptly if symptoms such as fever, sore throat, and bleeding occur.
