Nigeria has recorded 155 deaths from Lassa fever in 2025, with the current case fatality rate (CFR) now higher than that of the same period last year.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) disclosed this in its latest situation report for epidemiological week 29.
The report shows that the CFR now stands at 18.9 per cent, compared to 17.1 per cent recorded by the same time in 2024.
Although the number of confirmed cases in week 29 remained the same as the previous week, a total of 11 new cases were reported across Edo and Ondo states.
So far in 2025, Nigeria has recorded 822 confirmed cases of Lassa fever across 21 states and 105 Local Government Areas (LGAs).
This is slightly lower than the 951 confirmed cases reported within the same period in 2024, in 28 states and 125 LGAs.
The lassa virus, which is typically spread by contact with food or household items contaminated by rodent urine or faeces, remains endemic in several parts of the country.
According to the NCDC, five states such as Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba, and Ebonyi account for 89 per cent of all confirmed cases.
Ondo State alone contributed 32 per cent of the total cases, followed by Bauchi with 23 per cent, Edo with 17 per cent, Taraba with 14 per cent, and Ebonyi with three per cent. The remaining 11 per cent of cases were reported from 16 other states.
The age group most affected is between 21 and 30 years, with a median age of 30. The male to female ratio of confirmed cases stands at one to 0.8. No new infections among healthcare workers were recorded during the reporting week.
The report also indicates a general decline in the number of suspected and confirmed cases compared to the same period in 2024.
In response to the outbreak, the National Lassa Fever Technical Working Group, in collaboration with the NCDC and development partners, has continued coordinating multi-sectoral efforts across states.
(Premium Times)
