The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported a concerning trend in the Lassa fever outbreak for 2025. While the total number of suspected and confirmed cases has decreased compared to the previous year, the death toll and case fatality rate (CFR) have risen.
Key details:
- As of early August 2025, Nigeria has recorded 836 confirmed cases of Lassa fever with 156 deaths.
- The case fatality rate stands at 18.7%, up from 17.3% over the same period in 2024.
- A total of 6,851 suspected cases have been reported across 21 states and 105 local government areas.
- The states with the highest burden are Ondo (33% of cases), Bauchi (23%), Edo (17%), Taraba (14%), and Ebonyi (3%).
- Most confirmed cases are within the 21–30 age group, with a male-to-female ratio of about 1:0.8.
- Key factors driving the increased fatalities include late presentation to health facilities, poor health-seeking behavior due to treatment costs, and inadequate sanitation in high-burden areas.
- NCDC has intensified response efforts, including mobilizing National Rapid Response Teams, distributing contact thermometers, launching e-learning courses on infection prevention and control, and targeted healthcare worker training in Bauchi, Ebonyi, and Benue states.
- Sensitization and community engagement activities are being enhanced to improve early detection and rapid response.
Despite the reduction in case numbers compared to 2024, the rising death rate highlights the urgent need for stronger preventive measures and better healthcare access to mitigate further Lassa fever impact in Nigeria.
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Health