Nigeria Faces Lassa Fever Surge: 214 Cases, 39 Deaths Reported in 2025

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has confirmed a worrying spike in Lassa fever cases across the country, with 214 infections and 39 fatalities recorded so far this year.

In its latest report released on Friday, the NCDC revealed that between January 13 and January 19 alone, 71 new cases were identified across multiple states, signalling a continued spread of the deadly disease.

The affected states include Ondo, Edo, Bauchi, Taraba, Plateau, Ebonyi, Gombe, Nasarawa, Delta, and Kogi, highlighting the widespread nature of the outbreak.

Despite the alarming numbers, there is a slight improvement in survival rates. The case fatality rate (CFR) stands at 18.2%, lower than the 20.4% recorded during the same period in 2024.

According to the NCDC, 77% of all confirmed cases have been reported in just three states—Ondo, Edo, and Bauchi. Ondo remains the hardest-hit, accounting for 38% of infections, followed by Edo (22%) and Bauchi (17%).

The data also shows that Lassa fever is affecting people across various age groups, with the most impacted being those aged 21-30 years. The youngest reported case is a 3-year-old, while the oldest is 94 years old. The infection is nearly evenly distributed between genders, with a male-to-female ratio of 1:0.8.

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Compared to the same period last year, suspected cases have increased, raising concerns among health authorities. In response, the National Lassa Fever Incident Management System (IMS) has been activated to coordinate efforts across multiple sectors and organizations.

With Lassa fever continuing to spread, health officials are urging the public to take preventive measures, including proper food storage, rodent control, and early medical intervention in case of symptoms.