Lassa Fever kills 152 in Nigeria as fatality rate climbs 

By Racheal Abujah

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed that Lassa fever has claimed 152 lives within the first 28 weeks of 2025, with the disease showing a rising fatality trend.

According to the agency’s latest situation report, released on Monday via its official website, Nigeria has recorded 811 confirmed cases of Lassa Fever and over 6,520 suspected infections across 21 states and 105 local government areas this year.

The current case fatality rate (CFR) stands at 18.7 per cent, marking an increase from the 17.3 per cent recorded in the same period in 2024.

“The total number of confirmed cases is slightly lower compared to 2024, but the fatality rate has unfortunately risen,” the NCDC stated.

The agency attributed the increase in mortality to late presentation at health facilities, poor health-seeking behaviour, and limited access to early treatment.

In epidemiological week 28 alone, 11 new confirmed cases and one death were recorded, with new infections reported from Ondo, Edo, and Benue States. No healthcare workers were infected during the week.

The age group most affected remains individuals between 21 and 30 years, with an almost equal male-to-female distribution.

States with Highest Burden
The most affected states continue to be Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba, and Ebonyi, where the NCDC has intensified response efforts.

To curb the outbreak, the agency has deployed 10 National Rapid Response Teams using a One Health approach, and launched INTEGRATE clinical trials in Ondo State to improve case management outcomes.

Healthcare workers in Bauchi, Ebonyi, and Benue States have also undergone targeted training to enhance clinical response capacity.

In addition, environmental sanitation campaigns and community sensitisation programmes are ongoing in partnership with organisations including the World Health Organization (WHO), Nigeria Health Watch, Pro-Health International, and the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN).

IPC Measures and Persistent Challenges
The NCDC has also launched an Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) e-learning platform, supported by the Global Fund, and distributed critical medical supplies such as Ribavirin, personal protective equipment (PPE), and disinfectants to treatment centres across the country.

Despite these intensified interventions, the agency acknowledged several ongoing challenges: selayed case presentation, which worsens health outcomes, poor environmental sanitation in outbreak-prone areas, low awareness levels in vulnerable communities and high cost of treatment, which discourages prompt medical care.

The NCDC called for greater community engagement, early symptom reporting, and improved access to treatment to curb the fatality rate.

Public Advisory
The agency urged the public to avoid contact with rodents, maintain proper hygiene, and seek immediate medical attention at designated treatment centres if they experience symptoms such as fever, headache, sore throat, vomiting, or bleeding.

Members of the public are also encouraged to follow official health advisories and contact the NCDC toll-free line 6232 for enquiries.