By Onyeanya Ebere Immaculata
Between January 1 and July 20, 2025, Nigeria recorded 822 confirmed cases and 155 deaths from Lassa fever, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC). The case fatality rate (CFR) now stands at 18.9%, up from 17.1% in the same period last year.
A total of 6,640 suspected cases have been reported across 21 states and 105 Local Government Areas (LGAs). Five states account for 89% of confirmed cases: Ondo (32%), Bauchi (23%), Edo (17%), Taraba (14%), and Ebonyi (3%).
In Week 29 alone, new cases were reported in Ondo and Edo States, with no new infections among healthcare workers.
The most affected age group is 21–30 years, with a median age of 30. The male-to-female ratio is 1:0.8. Despite the rise in deaths, overall suspected and confirmed cases are lower compared to the same timeframe in 2024.
Lassa fever is an acute viral illness endemic in parts of West Africa. It is primarily transmitted to humans through contact with rodent-contaminated food or household items, with possible human-to-human transmission in healthcare settings lacking proper infection control.
The National Lassa Fever Technical Working Group, comprising multiple partners and sectors, continues to coordinate national response efforts.
