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Lassa fever

Lassa Fever Outbreak in Nigeria: Rising Death Toll and Key Challenges

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The death toll from the Lassa fever outbreak in Nigeria has risen to 155, with 825 confirmed cases and over 6,520 suspected infections reported since the start of the year. The Nigeria Center for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed that 21 of Nigeria's 36 states have reported cases, with Edo, Ondo, and Ebonyi in the south, and Bauchi and Taraba in the north, being the worst-affected. The agency has noted a slight decline in confirmed cases compared to the same period in 2024, but a rise in the fatality rate from 17.6 percent last year.

Key Takeaways:

  • The death toll from the Lassa fever outbreak in Nigeria has risen to 155, with 825 confirmed cases and over 6,520 suspected infections reported since the start of the year.
  • 21 of Nigeria's 36 states have reported cases, with Edo, Ondo, and Ebonyi in the south, and Bauchi and Taraba in the north, being the worst-affected.
  • The agency has noted a slight decline in confirmed cases compared to the same period in 2024, but a rise in the fatality rate from 17.6 percent last year.
  • People aged 21 to 30 remain the most affected, with a male-to-female ratio of 1:0.8.
  • Poor health-seeking behavior, high treatment costs in some areas, and limited awareness in high-burden communities are key challenges cited by the NCDC.
  • The agency has activated a multi-sectoral incident management system to coordinate a nationwide response.
  • Lassa fever is primarily transmitted through food or household items contaminated with rodent urine or feces, with human-to-human transmission possible through direct contact with the saliva, urine, or excrement of infected rats.

Statistics:

  • 825 confirmed cases of Lassa fever reported since the start of the year.
  • Over 6,520 suspected infections reported since the start of the year.
  • Death toll from the Lassa fever outbreak in Nigeria has risen to 155.
  • Case fatality rate dropped to 18.6 percent from 18.7 percent last month.
  • 21 out of 36 states in Nigeria have reported cases.
  • 105 local government areas out of 774 have reported infections this year.
  • People aged 21 to 30 account for the highest number of cases.
  • Male-to-female ratio of cases is 1:0.8.

Sources:

  • The Nigeria Center for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC)
  • COMTEX_467985138/2084/2025-08-12T09:18:20
  • XINHUA NEWS AGENCY

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