The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has sounded fresh alarm over a rising wave of Lassa fever infections, confirming 168 deaths and 906 confirmed cases across 21 states and 106 local government areas in 2025.
According to its latest situation report for epidemiological week 38, the NCDC said a total of 4,543 suspected infections have been recorded this year, with a case fatality rate of 18.7 per cent, almost double the national target of below 10 per cent.
The report highlighted that four states — Ondo, Edo, Taraba, and Bauchi, remain the epicentres of the outbreak, accounting for 67 per cent of all confirmed cases. Ondo State continues to bear the highest burden, followed by Edo and Bauchi.
Other affected states include Ebonyi, Benue, Kogi, Gombe, Plateau, Kaduna, Nasarawa, Enugu, Delta, Anambra, Rivers, Borno, Oyo, Ogun, the Federal Capital Territory, and Lagos.
Outbreak Hits Most Active Age Group
The NCDC disclosed that most of the confirmed cases were found among people aged 21 to 40. the country’s most socially and economically active population, increasing the risk of rapid community spread.
Lassa fever, an acute viral haemorrhagic illness, is transmitted to humans primarily through contact with food or household items contaminated by the urine or faeces of infected rats. Human-to-human transmission can also occur, especially in healthcare facilities that lack proper infection prevention and control measures.
The disease typically peaks during the dry season between December and April, but the NCDC said infections have now persisted throughout the year, indicating a worrying shift in the transmission pattern.
“Without stronger community awareness and preventive measures, the disease will continue to pose a serious public health challenge,” the agency warned in its statement.
The NCDC also noted that while awareness campaigns have improved reporting and diagnosis, many states still struggle with poor sanitation, unsafe food storage, and limited access to treatment centres, factors that sustain the spread.
Response Efforts and Call for Vigilance
In response to the outbreak, the NCDC said it continues to coordinate national efforts, including enhanced surveillance, expansion of diagnostic capacity, and deployment of medical support to high-burden states.
Community sensitisation campaigns are ongoing to promote safer hygiene practices such as proper waste disposal, secure food storage, and avoiding direct contact with rodents. The agency further advised against self-medication and urged Nigerians to seek prompt medical attention if symptoms appear.
“Early presentation at treatment centres significantly improves chances of survival, as ribavirin, the antiviral medicine used, is most effective when administered promptly,” the statement added.
Despite these interventions, Nigeria’s fatality rate remains high, with states like Taraba and Bauchi recording figures above the national average. The agency stressed the need for stronger collaboration among federal and state health authorities, community leaders, and healthcare workers to close critical response gaps.
The NCDC also encouraged continuous vigilance across all regions, noting that Lassa fever remains endemic in Nigeria and that consistent control measures are essential to reducing its deadly impact.
While progress has been made in surveillance and treatment, the agency reiterated that the disease’s spread underscores deeper challenges in environmental sanitation, food safety, and rural healthcare delivery.
“The fight against Lassa fever is not just a medical one, it’s about behaviour, awareness, and collective responsibility,” the NCDC said.
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