The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has reported 674 confirmed cases of Lassa fever and 127 deaths nationwide.
Earlier, between January to April 6, 2025, NCDC reported a total of 4,025 suspected cases.
The infections span across 93 Local Government Areas in 18 states.
This information was disclosed in the latest Lassa fever situation report released by the NCDC on Tuesday.
According to the report, the disease has claimed 127 lives within the reporting period, translating to a Case Fatality Rate of 18.8 per cent—slightly higher than the CFR of 18.5 per cent recorded during the same period in 2024.
The report stated, “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. Cumulatively in week 14, 2025, 127 deaths have been reported with a CFR of 18.8 per cent, which is higher than the CFR for the same period in 2024 (18.5 per cent).”
The fatalities were distributed across several states, with Taraba reporting the highest number at 31, followed by Ondo with 26 deaths, Edo (17), Bauchi (12), and Ebonyi (11). Other states include Gombe (seven), Plateau (five), Kogi (four), Benue (four), Nasarawa (four), Kaduna (two), Enugu (one), Delta (one), Cross River (one), and Ogun (one).
Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness caused by the Lassa virus, primarily transmitted through contact with the urine or faeces of infected multimammate rats, which are common in West Africa. Other rodents may also serve as carriers.
According to the NCDC, the majority of confirmed cases—71 per cent—were concentrated in three states: Ondo (30 per cent), Bauchi (25 per cent), and Edo (16 per cent). The remaining 28 per cent of cases were recorded across 15 other states.
The report also highlighted demographic patterns, stating: “The predominant age group affected is 21-30 years (Range: 1 to 94 years, Median Age: 30 years). The male-to-female ratio for confirmed cases is 1:0.8.”
The NCDC noted a decrease in the number of suspected cases compared to the same period in 2024, and it confirmed that no new healthcare worker was infected during week 14.
To coordinate the ongoing national response, the agency said, “The National Lassa fever multi-partner, multi-sectoral Incident Management System has been activated to coordinate the response activities at all levels.”
