Nigeria is grappling with a rising number of Lassa fever cases, the federal public health agency has reported, with 162 deaths recorded across 21 states during the last week of August. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) said the increase coincides with a higher case fatality rate compared to the same period in 2024.
According to the NCDC’s weekly epidemiological update, 10 new confirmed cases were recorded in epidemiological week 35 (August 25–31), up from three cases the previous week. These recent infections were reported in Edo, Ondo, Bauchi, and Taraba states, which remain among the country’s most affected regions.
Cumulatively, Nigeria has recorded 7,375 suspected cases and 871 confirmed infections so far in 2025, with a case fatality rate of 18.6 percent, up from 17.1 percent during the same period last year. Five states—Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba, and Ebonyi—account for 91 percent of all confirmed cases, with Ondo alone contributing 33 percent, Bauchi 23 percent, Edo 18 percent, Taraba 14 percent, and Ebonyi 3 percent.
The NCDC highlighted that the majority of affected patients are aged between 21 and 30, with a slight male predominance at a 1:0.8 male-to-female ratio. While the overall number of suspected and confirmed cases is lower than last year, the agency warned that persistent risks remain due to late presentation, high treatment costs, and poor sanitation in high-burden communities.
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Health workers have also been affected by the disease, with 23 infections recorded so far in 2025, although no new cases among healthcare staff were reported in the latest week. In response, the NCDC has deployed 10 rapid response teams to support affected states, strengthened surveillance, and distributed medical countermeasures, including ribavirin, personal protective equipment, and sanitizers.
The agency also announced plans to launch a five-year strategic plan for Lassa fever control (2025–2029) and urged the public—particularly residents in hotspot states—to maintain proper hygiene, control rodent populations, and seek early medical care.
Lassa fever is a viral hemorrhagic disease endemic in Nigeria, primarily transmitted through contact with food or household items contaminated by infected rats. Person-to-person transmission can occur, particularly in healthcare settings without strict infection control. Symptoms include fever, weakness, vomiting, bleeding, and in severe cases, organ failure. Treatment with ribavirin is most effective when administered early alongside supportive care.
Nigeria continues to bear the highest global burden of Lassa fever, with cases peaking during the dry season from December to April. Public health experts warn that delayed treatment and poor sanitation contribute significantly to the disease’s high mortality.