NCDC records 506 Lassa fever cases, 95 deaths

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention reported on Wednesday that there have been 506 confirmed cases of Lassa fever among 2,492 suspected cases, resulting in 95 fatalities as of February 23, 2025.

The weekly situation report for this hemorrhagic fever indicated that the disease has affected 12 states and 70 local government areas, with a Case Fatality Ratio of 18.8 percent.

Confirmed cases were distributed as follows: Ondo (160), Bauchi (122), Edo (88), Taraba (80), Ebonyi (15), Kogi (14), Gombe (11), Plateau (seven), Benue (five), Nasarawa (two), Delta (one), and Cross River (one).

Lassa fever, which typically spreads during Nigeria's dry season, is a zoonotic viral illness transmitted by the common African rat, also known as the mastomys rat.

The report noted, “In week eight, the number of new confirmed cases rose from 38 in epidemiological week seven of 2025 to 54. These cases were identified in Bauchi, Ondo, Edo, Taraba, Ebonyi, Plateau, Benue, and Kogi States.

“Overall, in week 8 of 2025, there have been 95 reported deaths, maintaining a case fatality rate (CFR) of 18.8 percent, consistent with the CFR for the same period in 2024 (18.8 percent).”

In 2025, a total of 12 states have documented at least one confirmed case of Lassa fever across 70 Local Government Areas. Notably, 73 percent of all confirmed cases originated from three states: Ondo, Bauchi, and Edo, while the remaining 27 percent were reported from nine other states with confirmed cases.

Specifically, of the 73 percent of confirmed cases, Ondo accounted for 32 percent, Bauchi for 24 percent, and Edo for 17 percent.

The data indicates that the most affected age group is between 21 and 30 years, with a range of 1 to 94 years and a median age of 30 years. Additionally, the male-to-female ratio among confirmed cases stands at 1:0.8.

It was also noted that the number of suspected cases has declined compared to the same period in 2024.

During the reporting week eight, one new healthcare worker was reported as affected.

Furthermore, the National Lassa Fever Multi-Partner, Multi-Sectoral Incident Management System has been activated to oversee and coordinate response activities at all levels.