By Ighomuaye Lucky. O
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reeled out the statistics of those who died from the Lassa Fever disease in 2025.
It said 215 deaths were recorded from the disease in 2025, with the case fatality rate (CFR) rising to 18.7 percent, higher than the 16.3 percent recorded during the same period in 2024.
The NCDC revealed this via its official website in its Lassa Fever Situation Report for Epidemiological Week 52 (December 22–28, 2025), saying that the country recorded 1,148 confirmed cases out of 9,389 suspected cases during the year.
According to the report, 22 states and 107 local government areas were affected by confirmed cases in 2025, underscoring the continued public health threat posed by the viral haemorrhagic disease.
The agency said that while the number of suspected and confirmed cases declined compared to 2024, the higher fatality rate remained a major concern. “In week 52 alone, 27 new confirmed cases and nine deaths were reported across Bauchi, Ondo, Ebonyi, Taraba and Nasarawa states.”
NCDC added that the increase from 21 cases in the previous week signalled sustained transmission in hotspot areas.
The report indicated that four states, Ondo, Bauchi, Edo and Taraba, accounted for 89 percent of all confirmed cases recorded nationwide.
“Ondo state led with 35 percent, followed by Bauchi with 26 percent, Edo with 16 per cent and Taraba with 12 percent,” it said.
On demographics, the NCDC said young adults aged 21 to 30 years were the most affected, with cases ranging from one to 96 years and a median age of 30 years. It added that the male-to-female ratio stood at 1:0.8 among confirmed cases.
The agency attributed the rising fatality rate largely to late presentation of cases at health facilities, poor health-seeking behaviour and the high cost of treatment, especially in high-burden communities.
The NCDC, however, said it had intensified response efforts through a multi-partner, multi-sectoral approach, including the deployment of 10 National Rapid Response Teams to affected states.
Looking ahead, the NCDC urged states to sustain year-round community engagement on Lassa fever prevention, particularly as the country prepared for a new outbreak season.
It also advised healthcare workers to maintain a high index of suspicion and ensure timely referral and treatment of suspected cases, while calling on partners to continue strengthening state capacity to prevent, detect and respond promptly to outbreaks.
Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness transmitted to humans mainly through contact with food or household items contaminated with urine or faeces of infected rodents.
Human-to-human transmission might also occur through contact with the bodily fluids of infected persons.
Nigeria recorded cases throughout the year, although transmission is usually higher during the dry season.
Symptoms range from fever, weakness and headache to vomiting, diarrhoea, bleeding and organ complications in severe cases.
Early diagnosis and prompt treatment with antiviral medication improved survival outcomes.
The NCDC advised the public to maintain good hygiene, ensure proper food storage, keep homes rodent-free and seek early medical attention if symptoms developed.