Lassa Fever Cases Rise Slightly As NCDC Flags Higher Death Rate In 2025
As Nigeria continues to battle recurring infectious disease outbreaks, new data from the NCDC shows that while infections persist, the toll on lives remains a growing concern.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported a slight increase in confirmed Lassa fever cases, with numbers rising from 21 to 27 cases between Epidemiological Week 51 and Week 52 (December 22–28, 2025).
According to the Week 52 Lassa Fever Situation Report, the new confirmed cases were recorded in Ondo, Bauchi, Ebonyi, Nasarawa, and Taraba states.
Cumulatively, Nigeria recorded 1,148 confirmed cases and 215 deaths in 2025, translating to a Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 18.7 per cent, higher than the 16.3 per cent recorded during the same period in 2024.
The report shows that 22 states across 107 local government areas have recorded at least one confirmed case, with Ondo, Bauchi, Taraba, and Edo states accounting for 89 per cent of all confirmed infections.
The 21-30-year age group remains the most affected, underscoring the disease’s impact on Nigeria’s productive population.
Encouragingly, the NCDC noted that no healthcare worker was infected during the reporting week, while the overall number of suspected and confirmed cases declined compared to the same period last year.
The agency urged continued vigilance and early reporting, reminding Nigerians to use its toll-free line (6232) or visit its official platforms for timely information and guidance.
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