The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has called on state governments to strengthen year-round community engagement to curb the spread of Lassa fever.
In its latest situation report for epidemiological week 31, the agency confirmed nine new cases in Ondo, Edo and Taraba—up from three the previous week—bringing the total number of confirmed cases in 2025 to 836 across 21 states and 105 local government areas.
The case fatality rate stands at 18.7 percent, higher than the 17.3 percent recorded in the same period last year, with 156 deaths so far.
According to the NCDC, 90 percent of confirmed cases were reported in five states: Ondo (33%), Bauchi (23%), Edo (17%), Taraba (14%), and Ebonyi (3%). The most affected age group is 21–30 years, with more men than women infected.
Lassa Fever Update – Week 31 2025
🗓 28thJuly- 3rdAugust📍9 new confirmed cases in Ondo, Taraba & Edo
📊 Cumulative 2025:
✅ 836 confirmed cases
✅ 156 deaths
✅ CFR: 18.7% (↑ vs 17.3% in 2024)
🔹 90% of cases from Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba & Ebonyi— NCDC (@NCDCgov) August 12, 2025
No new healthcare worker infections were recorded in the latest week.
The agency identified key challenges, including late presentation of cases, poor health-seeking behaviour due to high treatment costs, and poor environmental sanitation in high-burden communities.
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To address these issues, the NCDC has deployed rapid response teams, launched training and fellowship programmes, integrated Lassa fever awareness into wider risk communication efforts, and distributed essential supplies such as ribavirin, personal protective equipment, and thermometers to affected states.
It urged healthcare workers to maintain a high index of suspicion and ensure timely referrals, while advising the public to improve sanitation and prevent contact with rodents—the primary source of infection.
Lassa fever, a viral haemorrhagic illness, is transmitted mainly through contact with the urine or faeces of infected rats, but can also spread from person to person via bodily fluids, contaminated objects, or infected medical equipment.
Symptoms include fever, sore throat, headache, vomiting, muscle pain, and, in severe cases, bleeding from body openings.