The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported a continued rise in the number of Lassa fever infections and deaths across the country. According to its latest update covering January to April 6, 2025, a total of 674 confirmed cases have been identified from 4,025 suspected cases in 18 states, affecting 93 local government areas.
So far, 127 people have died due to the disease, which brings the case fatality rate (CFR) to 18.8%. This is slightly higher than the CFR recorded during the same period in 2024, which stood at 18.5%. The states with the highest number of deaths include Taraba with 31 reported fatalities, Ondo with 26, and Edo with 17.
Other states that have recorded deaths from the virus are Bauchi (12), Ebonyi (11), Gombe (seven), Plateau (five), Benue (four), Kogi (four), Nasarawa (four), Kaduna (two), and one death each in Enugu, Delta, Cross River, and Ogun.
Lassa fever is a severe viral disease spread mainly through contact with food or items contaminated by urine or feces from infected rodents, particularly the multimammate rat, which is commonly found in parts of Africa. In some cases, person-to-person transmission may also occur, especially in healthcare settings.
The NCDC report noted, “In week 14, the number of new confirmed cases increased from 14 in epi week 13, of 2025 to 15. These were reported in Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba, Ebonyi, and Gombe States.”
The data further shows that Ondo, Bauchi, and Edo alone account for 71% of all confirmed cases in 2025. Ondo leads with 30% of the total cases, followed by Bauchi with 25%, and Edo with 16%.
The majority of infected individuals fall within the 21–30-year-old age group, with cases ranging from as young as one year to as old as 94. The median age is reported as 30 years. Males appear to be slightly more affected than females, with a male-to-female ratio of 1 to 0.8.
