By Edward Samuel, Abuja
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has announced that 176 persons have died from Lassa fever in 2025, representing a Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 18.4 percent, higher than the 16.6 percent recorded within the same period in 2024.
According to the NCDC’s 43rd-week epidemiology report released in Abuja on Wednesday, 88 percent of all confirmed Lassa fever cases were reported from four states: Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, and Taraba.
“The remaining 12 percent were recorded across 17 other states with confirmed cases,” he said.
The report detailed that of the 88 percent, Ondo state accounted for 37 percent of infections, Bauchi state, 21 percent; Edo state, 17 percent, and Taraba state, 13 percent.
It added that while the number of confirmed and suspected cases declined compared to the same period in 2024, the fatality rate remained worryingly high.
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NCDC noted that no new healthcare worker was affected in the reporting week, adding that the National Lassa Fever Multi-Partner, Multi-Sectoral Technical Working Group(TWG) continues to coordinate the national response efforts.
However, the agency identified key challenges hindering progress, including late presentation of cases, poor health-seeking behaviour due to high treatment costs, poor environmental sanitation, and low community awareness in high-burden areas.
The Centre urged states to strengthen year-round community engagement for Lassa fever prevention while advising healthcare workers to maintain high suspicion and ensure early referral and treatment.
It reaffirmed that the NCDC and its partners remain committed to supporting states to prevent, detect, and respond promptly to Lassa fever outbreaks.