The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed 506 cases of Lassa fever out of 2,492 suspected infections, with 95 deaths recorded as of 23 February, 2025.
According to the NCDC’s situation report for epidemiological week eight, the viral hemorrhagic fever has spread across 12 states and 70 local government areas, with a case fatality ratio (CFR) of 18.8 per cent.
The confirmed cases were reported from Ondo (160), Bauchi (122), Edo (88), Taraba (80), Ebonyi (15), Kogi (14), Gombe (11), Plateau (seven), Benue (five), Nasarawa (two), Delta (one), and Cross River (one) states.
Lassa fever, which is endemic in Nigeria and more prevalent during the dry season, is a zoonotic viral illness transmitted primarily by the multimammate rat species.
The NCDC report stated that the number of new confirmed cases increased from 38 in week seven to 54 in week eight. These cases were reported in Bauchi, Ondo, Edo, Taraba, Ebonyi, Plateau, Benue, and Kogi states.
“Cumulatively in week eight of 2025, 95 deaths have been reported with a case fatality rate of 18.8 per cent, which is the same CFR recorded for the same period in 2024 (18.8 per cent),” the report noted.
The agency further revealed that 73 per cent of all confirmed cases originated from Ondo, Bauchi, and Edo states, with Ondo accounting for 32 per cent, Bauchi 24 per cent, and Edo 17 per cent. The remaining 27 per cent of cases were spread across nine other states.
The report highlighted that individuals aged 21 to 30 years were the most affected, with cases ranging from one to 94 years, and a median age of 30 years. The male-to-female ratio of confirmed cases stood at 1:0.8.
While the number of suspected cases in 2025 has decreased compared to the same period in 2024, the NCDC confirmed that one healthcare worker was affected in week eight.
The health agency stated that the national Lassa fever multi-partner, multi-sectoral Incident Management System remains activated to coordinate response efforts at all levels.
