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Epidemiology

Lassa Fever Outbreak in Nigeria: Rising Cases and Concerns

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported 166 deaths from Lassa fever in 2025, with a case fatality rate higher than the same period last year. The country has seen 7,673 suspected cases of the disease, with 895 confirmed cases and seven probable cases reported across 21 states and 106 local government areas. The predominant age group affected is between 21 and 30 years, and the male-to-female ratio among confirmed cases stands at 1 to 0.8.

Key Takeaways:

  • The number of new confirmed cases fell slightly from 13 the previous week, but the case fatality rate rose to 18.2 per cent during week 37 of 2025, higher than the 16.9 per cent reported in the same period in 2024.
  • 90 per cent of confirmed cases have been reported from just five states: Ondo (33%), Bauchi (23%), Edo (18%), Taraba (13%), and Ebonyi (3%).
  • Sixteen other states share the remaining 10 per cent of confirmed infections, with no new health worker infected in week 37, bringing the total number of affected health workers since the start of the year to 23.
  • The cumulative number of managed cases in 2025 reached 814, with eight new contacts listed during the week, and no symptomatic or positive contacts recorded in week 37.
  • The NCDC has been coordinating multi-partner response efforts, participating in the second ECOWAS Lassa fever conference, and conducting clinical research, including the INTEGRATE trial in Ondo State.
  • Challenges affecting outbreak control include late presentation of cases, poor health-seeking behavior, poor environmental sanitation, and low levels of awareness in high-burden communities.
  • The agency recommended measures to strengthen community engagement, prevention efforts, and response capacity to quickly detect and respond to outbreaks.

Statistics:

  • 7,673 suspected cases of Lassa fever reported in 2025, with 895 confirmed cases and seven probable cases.
  • 21 states and 106 local government areas affected.
  • The case fatality rate rose to 18.2 per cent during week 37 of 2025.
  • 90 per cent of confirmed cases from five states: Ondo (33%), Bauchi (23%), Edo (18%), Taraba (13%), and Ebonyi (3%).
  • 814 managed cases in 2025.
  • Eight new contacts listed during week 37.
  • No symptomatic or positive contacts recorded in week 37.

Sources:

  • Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) - Epidemiological week 37 report
  • World Health Organisation (WHO) - Activities in Ondo State

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