The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported a sharp rise in Lassa fever cases, with 127 deaths confirmed across 18 states as of April 6, 2025. According to the agency’s latest situation report, 674 people have tested positive for the virus out of 4,025 suspected cases recorded between January and early April.
The current Case Fatality Rate (CFR) stands at 18.8%, slightly higher than the 18.5% recorded during the same period in 2024, indicating a worrying upward trend.
The most affected states include Taraba (31 deaths), Ondo (26), Edo (17), Bauchi (12), and Ebonyi (11). Other states with reported fatalities are Gombe (7), Kogi (4), Benue (4), Nasarawa (4), Plateau (5), Kaduna (2), and one death each in Enugu, Delta, Cross River, and Ogun.
The report also highlights that 71% of confirmed cases were concentrated in Ondo (30%), Bauchi (25%), and Edo (16%), with the remaining 29% spread across 15 other states. The virus has now reached 93 local government areas nationwide.
Lassa fever is a viral haemorrhagic illness transmitted mainly through exposure to food or household items contaminated by infected rodents, particularly the multimammate rat. It can also spread through direct contact with the blood, urine, feces, or other bodily secretions of an infected person.
The disease predominantly affects people between the ages of 21 and 30, with a male-to-female ratio of 1:0.8, according to NCDC data.
In response to the outbreak, the NCDC has activated the National Lassa Fever Multi-Partner, Multi-sectoral Incident Management System to strengthen surveillance, case management, risk communication, and coordination efforts at all levels.
As the country continues to battle the spread of the virus, the NCDC is urging citizens to maintain proper hygiene, store food in rodent-proof containers, and seek immediate medical attention if symptoms such as fever, headache, sore throat, chest pain, or vomiting occur.