Lassa Fever Tightens Its Grip As Nigeria Records Rising Fatality Rate
As Nigeria edges closer to the peak of the dry season, often associated with heightened Lassa fever transmission, new data from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) shows a worrying rise in deaths, despite a drop in suspected cases compared to last year.
The NCDC’s Week 49 Lassa Fever Situation Report (1-7 December 2025) reveals that the number of confirmed cases rose from 24 to 33 within one week, with infections reported in Edo, Bauchi, Ondo, and Taraba states.
Cumulatively, 1,069 confirmed cases and 195 deaths have been recorded so far in 2025, pushing the case fatality rate (CFR) to 18.2 per cent, significantly higher than the 16.5 per cent recorded during the same period in 2024.
At least 21 states across 103 local government areas have reported confirmed cases, though Ondo, Bauchi, Taraba and Edo account for 89 per cent of the total burden.
Young adults remain the most affected, with those aged 21-30 years bearing the brunt of infections.
In a positive development, no new infections among healthcare workers were recorded during the reporting week.
The NCDC also noted that both suspected and confirmed cases are lower than figures reported at this time last year—an indication that surveillance and response efforts may be yielding results.
Health authorities continue to urge early presentation, improved hygiene, and community awareness as critical measures to curb further spread.
Follow the Savinews Africa channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VawgaEL5vKA9Y5
