According to a recent report from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), the country has recorded 103 deaths and 563 confirmed cases of Lassa fever as of March 9, 2025. The data was gathered from 2,960 suspected cases of the disease.
The Week 10 situation report revealed that the viral disease has now spread across 14 states and 78 local government areas, with a Case Fatality Ratio (CFR) of 18.3%. The affected states include Ondo (175 cases), Bauchi (139), Edo (98), Taraba (84), Ebonyi (17), Kogi (15), Gombe (11), Plateau (10), Benue (5), Nasarawa (3), Delta (2), Cross River (2), Enugu (1), and Anambra (1).
Lassa fever is a viral illness primarily spread by the common African rat, also known as the mastomys rat species. The disease is most prevalent during Nigeria’s dry season and is known for its severe symptoms, including fever, bleeding, and organ failure in extreme cases.
The NCDC report stated, “In Week 10, the number of new confirmed cases decreased from 29 in epi week 9, of 2025 to 28. These were reported in Bauchi, Ondo, Edo, Plateau, Delta, Anambra, Kogi, and Taraba States.”
Despite the high fatality rate, the current CFR of 18.3% is slightly lower than the 18.9% recorded for the same period in 2024. The report also noted that 73% of all confirmed cases came from just three states—Ondo, Bauchi, and Edo. Among them, Ondo accounted for 31% of cases, Bauchi 25%, and Edo 17%, while the remaining 27% of cases were spread across 11 other states.
The report further revealed that Lassa fever is most common in young adults, with the predominant age group affected being 21-30 years. The age range of recorded cases spans from 1 to 94 years, with a median age of 30. The male-to-female ratio for confirmed cases stands at 1:0.8, indicating a slightly higher prevalence among men.
Additionally, one healthcare worker was affected in Week 10. Authorities have listed 351 individuals for follow-up due to possible exposure to the virus.
To contain the spread of the disease, the NCDC has activated the National Lassa Fever Multi-Partner, Multi-Sectoral Incident Management System, ensuring coordinated response efforts at all levels.
