NCDC: Lassa fever killed 215 Nigerians in 2025 as CFR hit 18.7%

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) says 215 deaths were recorded from Lassa fever in 2025, with the case fatality rate (CFR) rising to 18.7 per cent, higher than the 16.3 per cent recorded in 2024.

The NCDC disclosed this via its Lassa Fever Situation Report for Epidemiological Week 52 (December 22–28, 2025) published on the agency’s website.

It noted that Nigeria recorded 1,148 confirmed cases out of 9,389 suspected cases in 2025.

According to the agency, 22 states and 107 Local Government Areas were affected by confirmed cases in 2025, underscoring the continued public health threat posed by the viral haemorrhagic disease.

The agency said while the number of suspected and confirmed cases declined compared to 2024, the higher fatality rate remained a major concern.

“In week 52 alone, 27 new confirmed cases and nine deaths were reported across Bauchi, Ondo, Ebonyi, Taraba, and Nasarawa States,” the NCDC stated.

The NCDC added that the increase from 21 cases in the previous week signalled sustained transmission in hotspot areas.

The agency revealed that four states — Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, and Taraba — accounted for 89 per cent of all confirmed cases recorded nationwide.

Ondo State led with 35 per cent, followed by Bauchi with 26 per cent, Edo with 16 per cent, and Taraba with 12 per cent.

Fire razes filling in Jos

On demographics, the NCDC said young adults aged 21 to 30 years were the most affected, with cases ranging from one to 96 years and a median age of 30 years.

It added that the male-to-female ratio stood at 1:0.8 among confirmed cases.

The agency attributed the rising fatality rate largely to late presentation of cases at health facilities, poor health-seeking behaviour, and the high cost of treatment, especially in high-burden communities.

It also listed poor environmental sanitation and low awareness levels as persistent challenges fueling the spread of the disease.

The NCDC, however, said it had intensified response efforts through a multi-partner, multi-sectoral approach, including the deployment of 10 National Rapid Response Teams to affected states.

Other interventions included training of healthcare workers, strengthening of infection prevention and control (IPC) measures, distribution of Ribavirin, personal protective equipment (PPEs), and other response commodities, as well as expanded risk communication and community engagement activities.

The Star