The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed 145 deaths from Lassa fever in 2025, as the country grapples with ongoing outbreaks of the viral hemorrhagic disease across 18 states.
According to the NCDC’s latest situation report covering epidemiological week 24 (June 9–15), Nigeria has recorded 766 confirmed cases from a total of 5,678 suspected infections. The case fatality rate currently stands at 18.9%, a rise from 17.6% recorded during the same period in 2024.
The states most affected by the outbreak are Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba, and Ebonyi, which together account for 91% of all confirmed cases. Ondo State alone contributed 31%, making it the epicenter of the outbreak.
Despite a slight decline in newly confirmed cases—down to eight from 11 the previous week—the NCDC expressed concern over the persistently high fatality rate. The agency attributes this to late presentation of symptoms, low health-seeking behaviour, and poor sanitary conditions in communities with a high disease burden.
In response to the outbreak, the NCDC has deployed Rapid Response Teams to 10 states, intensified risk communication efforts, launched environmental sanitation campaigns, and trained healthcare workers in high-risk areas.
The agency has also scaled down its Incident Management System to alert mode while integrating Lassa fever awareness into broader public health messaging.
Nigerians have been urged to maintain proper hygiene, avoid contact with rodents and their secretions, and seek immediate medical care at designated treatment centres upon experiencing symptoms such as fever, headache, sore throat, vomiting, or unexplained bleeding.
“Lassa fever is primarily spread through contact with the urine or faeces of infected rats, but it can also be transmitted through direct contact with an infected person’s bodily fluids or contaminated objects,” the NCDC explained.
The public is encouraged to follow official health advisories and report suspected cases via the agency’s toll-free line: 6232.
