Lassa Fever Surges Across Nigeria, Worsening Crisis Amid Public Health Interventions

Strategic Insights -

The Lassa fever outbreak in Nigeria is intensifying, with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) recording a higher death rate and more infections in 2025. The outbreak has spread across 18 states and 96 local government areas, with the majority of cases concentrated in five states: Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba, and Ebonyi, accounting for 91% of all confirmed infections. As the country grapples with the crisis, public health experts are emphasizing the need for more grassroots surveillance, environmental hygiene education, and collective action to address Nigeria's fragile health security infrastructure.

Key Takeaways:

  • The NCDC has confirmed 747 confirmed cases and 142 deaths in 2025, representing a case fatality rate of 19.0%.
  • The disease has spread across 18 states and 96 local government areas, with five states accounting for 91% of all confirmed infections.
  • Public health expert Dr. Solomon Chollom attributes the rise in cases to a need for more grassroots surveillance and environmental hygiene education, emphasizing the importance of community empowerment to understand and prevent the spread of the disease.
  • Lassa fever is endemic in Nigeria and typically spikes during the dry season, but the year-round transmission pattern seen in recent years suggests a shift in the disease's behaviour.
  • Despite intensified response efforts, including rapid response teams and community sensitisation campaigns, challenges persist.
  • The NCDC has deployed various strategies to combat the outbreak, including activating an e-learning platform to train health workers on infection prevention and control.
  • Dr. Chollom urges state governments and local councils to invest in waste disposal systems, community health surveillance, and early case reporting mechanisms.
  • Public health experts emphasize the need for collective, coordinated action to address Nigeria's fragile health security infrastructure.

Statistics:

  • 747 confirmed cases in 2025
  • 142 deaths in 2025
  • 19.0% case fatality rate
  • 18 states and 96 local government areas affected
  • 91% of cases concentrated in five states (Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba, and Ebonyi)
  • Endemic status of Lassa fever in Nigeria
  • Dry season typically associated with spikes in Lassa fever cases

Sources:

  • Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) - Latest Situation Report
  • Dr. Solomon Chollom - Public Health Expert Quoted in Article