Lassa Fever On The Rise Again: Nigeria Records More Cases, Higher Death Rate In 2025
Despite robust efforts by health authorities, Lassa fever continues to tighten its grip on parts of Nigeria, with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) confirming a worrying rise in fatalities this year.
In its latest situation report for Epidemiological Week 22 (26 May–1 June 2025), the NCDC revealed that eight new cases of Lassa fever were confirmed across Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, and Nasarawa States—an uptick from six cases the previous week.
So far in 2025, the country has recorded 747 confirmed cases and 142 deaths, pushing the case fatality rate to 19.0%—higher than the 18.1% recorded during the same period last year.
The disease has now spread across 18 states and 96 local government areas, with five states—Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba, and Ebonyi—accounting for a staggering 91% of all confirmed infections.
While there have been no recent infections among healthcare workers and no probable cases in Week 22, the persistent challenge of late case presentation, poor sanitation, and limited health-seeking behaviour in high-risk areas remain key obstacles in curbing the outbreak.
The NCDC has ramped up its response, deploying rapid teams, rolling out training and sensitisation campaigns, and launching an e-learning platform to support infection prevention.
Yet, experts stress that public awareness, environmental sanitation, and early detection are vital to halting the spread.
With the disease striking hardest among young adults aged 21–30, the report is a stark reminder: Lassa fever is far from over, and the fight must continue at every level—from clinics to communities.
For updates and prevention tips, visit www.ncdc.gov.ng.
