Lassa Fever Claims 176 Lives Across 21 States – NCDC Raises Alarm

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed that at least 176 people have died from Lassa fever since January, as the viral disease continues to spread across 21 states.

The agency revealed the figures in its latest Lassa Fever Situation Report, noting that 955 confirmed cases have been recorded from 8,367 suspected infections across 102 Local Government Areas nationwide.

According to the NCDC, although the number of confirmed cases is slightly lower than what was recorded during the same period in 2024, the case fatality rate has increased significantly, from 16.6% in 2024 to 18.4% in 2025.

The agency described this trend as “deeply concerning,” attributing the rising deaths to late presentation at health facilities and poor health-seeking behaviour among residents of affected communities.

Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba Remain Epicentres

The latest data shows that Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, and Taraba States remain the most affected, accounting for 88% of all confirmed cases reported this year.

• Ondo State leads with 37%

• Bauchi State follows with 21%
• Edo State has 17%

• Taraba State accounts for 13%

The NCDC reported a slight rise in new infections in week 43, increasing from nine cases in week 42 to 11 cases, all recorded in Ondo State.

The most affected age group remains young adults between 21 and 30 years, with a median age of 30 and a male-to-female ratio of 1:0.8.

The agency explained that environmental conditions in high-burden communities continue to drive transmission, alongside a lack of early medical consultation by infected persons.

“The challenges of poor environmental sanitation and the cost of treatment continue to contribute significantly to new infections,” the report noted.

To curb further spread, the NCDC said its multi-sectoral Technical Working Group, comprising the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the WHO, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), and the US CDC, has continued to coordinate response activities across the country.

Health workers in Bauchi, Benue, and Ebonyi states have received training on case management, while community sensitisation and radio campaigns are ongoing in high-risk areas, especially in Ondo.

The agency also announced the launch of a new Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) e-learning platform to improve the skills of frontline workers.

It confirmed the distribution of ribavirin, the primary treatment drug, as well as protective equipment to treatment centres nationwide.

Notably, no new healthcare worker infections were recorded in week 43.

The NCDC disclosed ongoing collaborations with Georgetown University, MSF, and the Nigerian Lassa Fever Vaccine Taskforce to support vaccine development and strengthen outbreak preparedness.

Expected outcomes include improved diagnostic tools and enhanced predictive systems for early warning.

The agency urged state governments to scale up community engagement and public awareness campaigns on sanitation and rodent control, especially in rural areas where the disease spreads rapidly.

Healthcare workers were also advised to ensure early diagnosis, use appropriate protective gear, and prioritise timely treatment of suspected cases to prevent avoidable deaths.