Nigeria is witnessing a renewed surge in Lassa fever infections and fatalities, with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) reporting a rise in the number of confirmed cases and an alarming increase in the case fatality rate, despite ongoing public health interventions.
In its latest Situation Report for Epidemiological Week 22 (May 26 – June 1) released on Friday, the NCDC confirmed eight new cases across Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, and Nasarawa states, a slight uptick from the six cases recorded in the previous week.
According to the NCDC, a total of 747 confirmed cases and 142 deaths have been recorded nationwide in 2025, representing a case fatality rate of 19.0%. This marks an increase from the 18.1% recorded during the same period in 2024, raising serious public health concerns.
The outbreak has now spread across 18 states and 96 local government areas (LGAs). Five states—Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba, and Ebonyi—account for 91% of all confirmed infections, underscoring regional disparities in the burden of the disease.
Although no new infections were reported among healthcare workers during the week, and no probable cases were identified, the NCDC acknowledged that significant operational challenges persist, especially in areas of surveillance, case detection, and environmental sanitation.
Public Health Concerns
Health experts have continued to raise alarms over late presentation of cases, poor sanitation in endemic communities, and limited health-seeking behaviour, all of which have hindered effective containment of the disease.
“We can’t fight Lassa with hospital efforts alone. “The communities must be empowered to understand how this disease spreads, mainly through contact with rodent urine or faeces, and what they can do to prevent it,” said Dr. Solomon Chollom, a public health expert.
He noted that while Lassa fever typically peaks during the dry season, the emergence of year-round transmission signals a concerning trend.
“However, the year-round transmission pattern seen in recent years suggests a shift in the disease’s behaviour, likely linked to urbanisation, climate factors, and persistent gaps in sanitation,” Chollom added.
Response Measures
In response to the resurgence, the NCDC said it has deployed rapid response teams, launched community sensitisation campaigns, and activated an e-learning platform to enhance training for health workers on infection prevention and control (IPC).
The agency highlighted that young adults aged 21 to 30 years remain the most affected demographic, prompting calls for targeted public education efforts in schools, marketplaces, and workplaces.
Experts are also urging state governments and local councils to invest in: Improved waste disposal systems
Community health surveillance
Early case reporting mechanisms
A Broader Health Security Warning
As Nigeria continues to contend with multiple public health threats, including cholera and mpox, the ongoing Lassa fever outbreak serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of the country’s health security infrastructure.
Lassa fever, a viral haemorrhagic illness, spreads primarily through exposure to rodent excreta but can also be transmitted from person to person through bodily fluids, contaminated objects, or infected medical equipment.
Common symptoms include: Fever
Sore throat
Headache
Vomiting
Muscle pain
In severe cases, bleeding from body openings
The NCDC continues to urge vigilance and early reporting of suspected cases to stem the tide of the outbreak.
(NAN)
