The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed 138 deaths from Lassa fever between January and May 4, 2025, as the country grapples with the ongoing viral outbreak. The fatalities stem from 717 confirmed cases out of 4,881 suspected infections reported across 18 states and 93 local government areas.
This was disclosed in the latest situation report published on the NCDC’s website on Wednesday. The Case Fatality Rate (CFR) currently stands at 19.3 per cent—higher than the 18.0 per cent recorded during the same period in 2024.
The states with the highest reported death tolls include Taraba (34), Ondo (27), and Edo (19), followed by Bauchi (15) and Ebonyi (11). Other affected states include Kogi (4), Gombe (7), Plateau (5), Benue (5), Nasarawa (4), Kaduna (2), Enugu (1), Delta (2), Cross River (1), and Ogun (1).
In the most recent epidemiological week (Week 18), 10 new confirmed cases were recorded, a slight decline from 11 in the previous week. The new cases emerged from Ondo, Edo, Bauchi, and Benue states.
According to the NCDC, 71 per cent of all confirmed cases originate from three states—Ondo (30 per cent), Bauchi (25 per cent), and Taraba (16 per cent). The remaining 28 per cent of cases were spread across 15 other states.
The disease primarily affects individuals aged 21 to 30, with a median age of 30 years. The gender distribution shows a slight male predominance, with a male-to-female ratio of 1:0.8.
Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness caused by the Lassa virus, which is commonly transmitted through exposure to food or household items contaminated by the urine or feces of infected multimammate rats—its primary natural reservoir.
While the number of both suspected and confirmed cases is lower than in the corresponding period of 2024, the NCDC emphasized the need for continued vigilance.
“No new healthcare worker was affected in the reporting week,” the report noted, adding that the National Lassa Fever Multi-Partner, Multi-Sectoral Incident Management System remains active and is coordinating national response efforts across all levels.
The NCDC urged citizens to maintain high hygiene standards, report early symptoms, and avoid contact with rodents to prevent further spread.
