Nigeria Recorded 215 Lassa Fever Deaths in 2025, Says NCDC

The Nigeria Centre for Disease and Control (NCDC) said the country recorded 215 Lassa fever deaths in 2025 with 22 states having at least one confirmed case across 107 local government areas.

NCDC disclosed this in week 52 of its situation reports shared on its website on Wednesday. It noted that the number of new confirmed cases increased from 21 in epi week 51 to 27. It added that the new cases were reported in Bauchi, Ondo, Ebonyi and Nasarawa states.

According to the centre, the total deaths were reported with a Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 18.7 per cent which is higher than the 16.3 per cent recorded in the same period in 2024.

“Cumulatively as at week 52, 2025, 215 deaths have been reported with a Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 18.7% which is higher than the CFR for the same period in 2024 (16.3%). In total for 2025, 22 States have recorded at least one confirmed case across 107 Local Government Areas,” NCDC said.

The centre said even as festivities and regular activities continued nationwide, routine monitoring in health facilities revealed that Lassa fever remains a health concern, as 27 new cases were confirmed between December 22 to 28, 2025.

“In Epi Week 52, 27 new cases were confirmed across five states, with 9 reported deaths. While weekly numbers may fluctuate, they remind us that Lassa fever remains present, and that early presentation at health facilities significantly improves outcomes,” NCDC said.

It also noted that 89 per cent of all confirmed Lassa fever cases were reported from four states including Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, and Taraba, while 11 per cent were reported from 17 states with confirmed Lassa fever cases.

Out of the 89 per cent confirmed cases, Ondo reported 35 per cent, Bauchi 26 per cent, Edo 16 per cent and Taraba 12 per cent.

NCDC further noted that the predominant age group affected is 21-30 years, which is in the range of one to 96 years, and median Age: 30 years, stressing that the male-to-female ratio for confirmed cases is 1:0.8.

It, however, pointed out that the number of suspected and confirmed cases decreased compared to that reported for the same period in 2024.

NCDC said the National Lassa fever multi-partner, multi-sectoral Technical Working Group (TWG) continues supporting coordination of response activities at all levels.

It also cautioned that preventive actions such as keeping homes and surroundings clean, washing hands regularly with soap under clean running water, storing food in tight containers, avoiding self-medication and seeking medical care immediately when one feels unwell, remain essential.