The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed 176 deaths from Lassa fever across 21 states in 2025.
In its latest Lassa Fever Situation Report, the agency said 955 confirmed cases were recorded from 8,367 suspected infections across 102 local government areas.
Although the total number of cases declined slightly compared to the same period last year, the case fatality rate increased from 16.6 percent in 2024 to 18.4 percent this year.
Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, and Taraba states remain the worst hit, accounting for 88 percent of all confirmed infections. Ondo leads with 37 percent, followed by Bauchi with 21 percent, Edo with 17 percent, and Taraba with 13 percent.
The NCDC attributed the high number of deaths to late presentation of cases, poor health-seeking behaviour, and inadequate sanitation in affected communities. It also cited the high cost of treatment as a major challenge.
The agency noted a slight rise in new cases, from nine in epidemiological week 42 to 11 in week 43—all reported in Ondo State. The most affected age group is between 21 and 30 years, with a median age of 30 and a male-to-female ratio of 1:0.8.
To strengthen response efforts, the NCDC said its multi-sectoral Technical Working Group—comprising the Federal Ministry of Health, WHO, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), and the US CDC—is coordinating nationwide control activities.
It added that health workers in Bauchi, Benue, and Ebonyi states have received training on case management, while awareness campaigns are ongoing in high-risk areas. The agency also launched an Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) e-learning platform and distributed ribavirin and protective equipment to treatment centres.
No new infections among health workers were recorded in week 43, the report stated.
The NCDC further revealed ongoing research collaborations with Georgetown University, MSF, and the Nigerian Lassa Fever Vaccine Taskforce to advance vaccine development and improve outbreak preparedness.
It urged states to intensify community sensitisation, strengthen environmental health campaigns, and ensure early detection and prompt treatment of suspected cases.
