Lassa Fever: NCDC Confirms 895 Cases, 166 Deaths in 2025

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed a total of 895 Lassa fever cases and 166 deaths in 2025, according to its latest Situation Report.

The update, obtained from VANGUARD, covered Week 37 (September 8–14, 2025) and recorded 11 new confirmed cases of the disease across Ondo, Bauchi, Kogi, and Anambra States. This marks a slight decline compared to the 13 cases reported in the previous week.

According to the NCDC, the cumulative data shows a case fatality rate (CFR) of 18.5 percent, which is higher than the 16.9 percent recorded during the same period in 2024.

So far, 21 states across 106 Local Government Areas (LGAs) have reported at least one confirmed case. However, the majority of infections, about 90 percent, have come from Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba, and Ebonyi States underscoring the persistent burden of Lassa fever in those regions.

The report further noted that the most affected age group remains 21–30 years, with no new infections recorded among healthcare workers during the reporting week.

Encouragingly, the NCDC stated that both suspected and confirmed cases show a downward trend compared to the same period in 2024.

The agency reaffirmed its commitment to curbing the outbreak while urging Nigerians to remain vigilant. It also advised the public to adopt preventive measures such as avoiding contact with rodents, storing food properly, and seeking early medical attention when symptoms appear.