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The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported that at least 176 people have died from Lassa fever across 21 states.
In its latest Lassa Fever Situation Report, the agency revealed that 955 confirmed cases were recorded out of 8,367 suspected infections spanning 102 Local Government Areas (LGAs).
Although the total number of infections has slightly decreased compared with the same period in 2024, the NCDC noted a higher fatality rate—rising from 16.6 per cent last year to 18.4 per cent in 2025.
Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, and Taraba States remain the hardest hit, accounting for 88 per cent of confirmed cases. Ondo leads with 37 per cent, followed by Bauchi (21 per cent), Edo (17 per cent), and Taraba (13 per cent).
During week 43, the number of confirmed cases increased slightly from nine in the previous week to 11, all recorded in Ondo State.
The most affected age group is between 21 and 30 years, with a median age of 30 and a male-to-female ratio of 1:0.8.
The agency attributed the rise in deaths to delayed medical attention and poor health-seeking behaviour among residents in affected areas.
It added that inadequate sanitation and the high cost of treatment have contributed to the persistence of infections in high-risk communities.
To strengthen the national response, the NCDC said its multi-sectoral Technical Working Group—which includes the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the World Health Organisation (WHO), Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), and the US CDC—continues to coordinate intervention efforts.
Health workers in Bauchi, Benue, and Ebonyi States have been trained on case management, while radio sensitisation and community awareness campaigns are ongoing in hotspot regions such as Ondo.
The agency also launched an e-learning platform for Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) to improve the capacity of healthcare workers and distributed ribavirin and protective gear to treatment centres.
It confirmed that no new infections among healthcare workers were recorded during week 43.
Furthermore, the NCDC disclosed that it is collaborating with Georgetown University, MSF, and the Nigerian Lassa Fever Vaccine Taskforce on research aimed at vaccine development and improved outbreak preparedness.
The agency urged state governments to intensify community engagement and sanitation efforts while advising health workers to prioritise early detection and prompt treatment of suspected cases.
