NCDC: Nigeria records 166 Lassa fever deaths as fatality rate surpasses 2024

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed 166 deaths from Lassa fever between January and September 2025, warning that the country’s case fatality rate has risen above last year’s level.

According to the agency’s Week 37 situation report, covering September 8–14, a total of 895 confirmed cases were recorded across 21 states and 106 local government areas, representing a fatality rate of 18.5 per cent compared to 16.9 per cent during the same period in 2024.

The NCDC noted that while the number of confirmed and suspected cases is lower than last year, more patients are dying due to late presentation at hospitals and poor health-seeking behaviour, often linked to the high cost of treatment.

Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba and Ebonyi states remain the worst affected, accounting for 90 per cent of all confirmed infections, with Ondo alone responsible for about one-third of the total.

The agency also disclosed that no new healthcare worker infection was recorded during the reporting week. However, it warned that weak community awareness, poor environmental sanitation and delays in seeking medical care continue to drive the spread and severity of the disease.

Lassa fever, an acute viral haemorrhagic illness endemic in West Africa, is transmitted mainly through contact with food or household items contaminated by infected rodents, particularly the multi-mammate rat. Human-to-human transmission is also possible, especially in healthcare settings without adequate infection control.

To strengthen response efforts, the NCDC said it has deployed 10 rapid response teams to affected states, introduced new infection prevention and control (IPC) training modules, and expanded clinical management fellowship programmes in partnership with local and international organizations.

The agency urged state governments to intensify public awareness campaigns and called on healthcare workers to maintain high suspicion and ensure early treatment when symptoms are detected.