Nigeria Records Spike In Lassa Fever Cases, CFR Rises To 18.6%
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported a sharp rise in Lassa fever cases, with 10 new confirmed infections recorded in Edo, Ondo, Bauchi and Taraba states during Week 35 (25–31 August 2025).
This marks a significant increase from three cases reported the previous week.
According to the latest situation report, Nigeria has now recorded 871 confirmed cases and 162 deaths this year, with a case fatality rate (CFR) of 18.6%—higher than the 17.1% reported during the same period in 2024.
So far, 21 states across 106 local government areas have reported at least one confirmed case, with Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba and Ebonyi accounting for 91% of infections.
The predominant age group affected remains young adults between 21 and 30 years. No new infections were reported among healthcare workers this week.
The NCDC urged continued vigilance, calling on Nigerians to maintain good hygiene, avoid contact with rodents, and seek medical attention immediately if symptoms appear.
For more information, the full report is available on the NCDC website: www.ncdc.gov.ng.