Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba, and Ebonyi states have accounted for 90% of all confirmed Lassa fever circumstances in Nigeria to this point in 2025, in response to the most recent state of affairs report by the Nigeria Centre for Illness Management and Prevention (NCDC).
The company disclosed this in its newest Epidemiological Week 21 report, printed on its official web site on Sunday.
The report confirmed Nigeria has recorded 739 confirmed Lassa fever circumstances and 141 deaths, leading to a case fatality ratio (CFR) of 19.1%, a slight improve from the 18.1% CFR reported throughout the identical interval in 2024.
As compared, by Week 21 of 2024, the nation had logged 897 confirmed circumstances and 162 deaths, indicating a decline in each suspected and confirmed circumstances this yr, however a marginal rise within the fatality fee.
To this point in 2025, 18 states throughout 95 Native Authorities Areas (LGAs) have reported at the least one confirmed case, in comparison with 28 states and 125 LGAs throughout the identical interval final yr.
5 states—Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba, and Ebonyi—proceed to drive the Lassa fever outbreak in Nigeria, accounting for 90% of all confirmed circumstances. Ondo alone reported 30% of complete confirmed infections, adopted by Bauchi (25%), Edo (16%), Taraba (16%), and Ebonyi (3%).
To this point in 2025, the nation has recorded 141 deaths, with a Case Fatality Charge (CFR) of 19.1%.
Confirmed circumstances have been reported within the following states: Ondo (224); Bauchi (185); Edo (121); Taraba (116); Ebonyi (21); Kogi (15); Gombe (14); Plateau (13); Benue (11); Nasarawa (5); Kaduna (3); Enugu (3); Delta (2); Cross River (2); Borno (1); Ogun (1); Federal Capital Territory (1); and Anambra (1).
Deaths have been reported in Ondo (28); Bauchi (16); Edo (20); Taraba (34); Ebonyi (11); Kogi (4); Gombe (7); Plateau (5); Benue (5); Nasarawa (4); Kaduna (2); Enugu (1); Delta (2); Cross River (1); and Ogun (1).
In line with the company, the illness predominantly impacts people aged 21 to 30 years, with a median age of 30. The male-to-female ratio amongst confirmed circumstances is 1:0.8, indicating a barely larger an infection fee amongst males.
“Notably, no healthcare staff have been affected in the course of the newest reporting week. Nevertheless, 22 healthcare staff have been contaminated to this point in 2025,” the NCDC said.
The NCDC confirmed {that a} nationwide multi-partner, multi-sectoral Incident Administration System (IMS) stays energetic in coordinating ongoing response efforts throughout the nation.
Lassa fever is a viral hemorrhagic illness brought on by the Lassa virus, primarily transmitted by means of contact with meals or home goods contaminated by the urine, feces, or saliva of contaminated rodents.
Human-to-human transmission can even happen, significantly in healthcare settings with insufficient an infection prevention and management (IPC) measures.
The NCDC recognized a number of challenges affecting the outbreak response, together with the late presentation of circumstances, which has contributed to excessive fatality charges.
It additionally highlighted poor health-seeking habits, largely as a result of excessive price of Lassa fever remedy and administration.
Moreover, poor environmental sanitation in high-burden communities and low consciousness of Lassa fever signs and preventive measures have been famous as key points.
