The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported 145 deaths from Lassa fever in 2025 as the country continues to battle an ongoing outbreak of the viral hemorrhagic illness across 18 states.
According to the agency’s latest situation report for epidemiological week 24 (June 9–15), there have been 766 confirmed cases out of 5,678 suspected infections. The current case fatality rate is 18.9%, an increase from 17.6% during the same period in 2024.
Five states—Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba, and Ebonyi—account for 91% of all confirmed cases. Ondo State alone is responsible for 31%, making it the epicenter of the outbreak.
While the number of new weekly cases has declined slightly—from 11 to 8—the NCDC remains concerned about the persistently high death rate. Factors such as late presentation at health facilities, poor health-seeking behavior, and unhygienic living conditions are believed to be contributing to the severity of the outbreak.
In response, the NCDC has deployed rapid response teams to 10 states, intensified risk communication, launched environmental sanitation campaigns, and provided training for frontline health workers in high-risk areas.
Although the agency has scaled back its Incident Management System to alert mode, it continues to incorporate Lassa fever awareness into broader public health efforts. Nigerians are advised to uphold proper hygiene, store food securely to prevent rodent contamination, and seek immediate medical attention for symptoms like fever, headache, vomiting, or unusual bleeding.
“The public is also encouraged to follow NCDC advisories and use the toll-free line 6232 for inquiries,” the agency stated.
Lassa fever, which is endemic in Nigeria, is primarily transmitted through contact with the urine or faeces of infected rats. It can also spread through contact with bodily fluids, contaminated surfaces, or improperly sterilised medical equipment.
