The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed that 166 people have died from Lassa fever between January and September 2025, with Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba and Ebonyi states accounting for 90 per cent of all infections.
The latest situation report, published on the agency’s website on Thursday for Epidemiological Week 37 covering September 8 to 14, revealed that 895 confirmed cases were recorded across 21 states and 106 local government areas.
According to the NCDC, the case fatality rate has risen to 18.5 per cent compared to 16.9 per cent in the same period of 2024, indicating that although the number of suspected and confirmed cases is lower than last year, more patients are dying due to late presentation and poor health-seeking behaviour, often worsened by the high cost of treatment.
Ondo State remains the epicentre, accounting for nearly one-third of all infections, while Bauchi, Edo, Taraba and Ebonyi states continue to drive the surge. The agency, however, confirmed that no new healthcare worker infection was recorded during the reporting week.
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It warned that poor environmental sanitation, low awareness in high-burden communities and delays in accessing treatment are fueling the spread and severity of the disease.
Lassa fever, an acute viral haemorrhagic illness endemic in West Africa, is primarily transmitted to humans through food or household items contaminated by infected rodents, particularly the multi-mammate rat. Human-to-human transmission can also occur in healthcare settings with weak infection control measures.
Symptoms range from fever, sore throat, chest pain and diarrhoea to severe complications such as unexplained bleeding.
To curb the spread, the NCDC disclosed that it has deployed 10 rapid response teams to the most affected states, rolled out new infection prevention and control training modules, and expanded clinical management fellowship programmes in partnership with local and international stakeholders.
The agency urged states to intensify grassroots sensitisation and preventive campaigns, while reminding healthcare workers to maintain a high index of suspicion and begin early treatment once symptoms appear.
