Lassa fever has remained a significant public health threat in Nigeria, with recent data from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) highlighting fresh concerns and ongoing responses. A newly released epidemiological situation report for week 35 of 2025 shows that the country is facing a higher case fatality rate (CFR) this year, despite a drop in the total number of confirmed infections.
Fatality Rate Climbs Even as Cases Drop
According to NCDC’s update, 162 people have lost their lives to Lassa fever so far in 2025, pushing the CFR to 18.6 percent. This is an uptick from the 17.1 percent recorded during the same period in 2024. In contrast, the number of confirmed cases has slightly declined—2025 has seen 871 confirmed cases compared to 982 by this time last year.
While fewer people are contracting the disease, a larger proportion of those infected are sadly succumbing to it. This data suggests underlying challenges in timely diagnosis, treatment, or broader systemic factors impacting health outcomes.
The Spread: Suspected and Probable Cases Remain High
Despite the dip in confirmed infections, Lassa fever continues to cast a wide net across the country. In 2025 alone, public health officials have logged 7,375 suspected cases affecting 21 states and 106 Local Government Areas (LGAs).
“This infection remains deeply entrenched in our communities,” said a health official in Ondo State, one of the areas hardest hit by the outbreak. “We still see too many suspected cases, and there’s ongoing concern about unreported or undiagnosed infections.”
Recent Trends: New Hotspots and No Health Worker Infections
The week 35 update from NCDC also shows a new spike in weekly confirmed cases. Ten new lab-confirmed infections were reported—an increase from just three new cases recorded the previous week. These latest cases have been identified in Edo, Ondo, Bauchi, and Taraba States, with disease surveillance teams still working to identify and trace all possible contacts.
On a positive note, the report indicates that no new health worker infections were recorded during the most recent week, suggesting some improvements in infection prevention and control at the frontlines.
Geographic and Demographic Breakdown
A closer look at the data reveals that five states account for the overwhelming majority—91 percent—of confirmed Lassa fever cases in 2025:
- Ondo: 33%
- Bauchi: 23%
- Edo: 18%
- Taraba: 14%
- Ebonyi: 3%
The remaining 16 states make up just 9% of cases, indicating that while the disease is widespread, its brunt falls on select regions.
Young adults are the most affected demographic, with the primary age cluster being 21–30 years and a median age of 30 among confirmed patients. The male-to-female ratio is 1:0.8, showing slightly more men than women are getting infected.
Outbreak Response: Strengthening Systems Under Strain
To counter the persistent spread, NCDC says it is working closely with multiple partners. Rapid response teams have been deployed in regions with high caseloads, and the Lassa fever Incident Management System remains active at the National Public Health Emergency Operations Centre.
Where treatment is required, confirmed patients are cared for in dedicated centres set up to manage infectious diseases. Health workers on the ground have undergone targeted training in case management, infection control, and psychosocial support, a move the NCDC hopes will further reduce deaths among both patients and medical staff.
Additional steps include ramping up laboratory capacity for faster diagnosis and building up reserves of essential medicines such as ribavirin, alongside protective equipment for frontline workers.
“Risk communication is a core part of our response,” said a senior NCDC official. “Across the country, we are running awareness campaigns, sharing public health advice, and engaging directly with communities at greatest risk.”
Obstacles to Progress: Deep Seated and Ongoing
Despite these escalated interventions, the struggle to curb Lassa fever is far from over. The NCDC notes several persistent barriers that continue to undermine the country’s fight against the disease:
- Late presentation for treatment: Many patients delay seeking care, which allows the disease to progress to severe stages before clinical intervention, contributing significantly to the higher CFR.
- Low health-seeking behaviour: Cost barriers and limited access to care prevent people from visiting healthcare facilities early.
- Poor environmental sanitation: Unhygienic environments in high-burden communities facilitate rodent infestation and direct transmission of Lassa fever.
- Lack of awareness: Misinformation and limited local understanding about Lassa fever prevention and early symptoms persist, particularly in the hardest-hit regions.
Local health advocates have echoed the need for urgent solutions, suggesting innovative community engagement programs and ongoing support for vulnerable households.
Looking Forward: New Strategic Partnerships and Plans
Recognizing the challenges, NCDC is working with partners on a new five-year Lassa Fever Strategic Plan to cover 2025–2029. The agency’s goals include:
- Upgrading treatment centres nationwide with advanced medical equipment
- Training at least 80% of clinical staff at designated Lassa fever treatment facilities
- Expanding stockpiles of essential medical supplies
- Deepening community outreach and engagement
Authorities are also urging states to ramp up engagement with local populations year-round. Health professionals are being called upon to keep a “high index of suspicion” for Lassa fever to improve early diagnosis rates and boost patient outcomes.
Lassa Fever: The Basics and Why Early Action Matters
For those unfamiliar, Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic disease caused by the Lassa virus. Humans usually contract the infection through contact with food or household items contaminated by the urine or faeces of infected rodents, especially the widespread multimammate rat.
Symptoms often begin with fever, fatigue, and headache, but can quickly escalate to more severe issues including internal bleeding, respiratory distress, swelling, and even organ failure. Medical experts insist that early diagnosis and prompt treatment with ribavirin remain the best hope for survival.
“Everyone needs to take Lassa fever seriously, especially after seeing rising fatality rates. If you or anyone you know develops sudden fever, weakness, or unusual bleeding, seek medical help immediately,” urged Dr. Bolatito Ogunleye, a public health specialist in Lagos.
Regional and Global Relevance
Lassa fever may be most prevalent in Nigeria and other parts of West Africa (including Ghana, Sierra Leone, and Liberia), but growing travel and urbanisation mean outbreaks can have cross-border public health implications. Experts hope that improved surveillance, regional cooperation, and global research partnerships will ultimately lead to more effective vaccines and treatments in the years to come.
What Can Be Done? Tips for Communities and Individuals
- Keep homes and surroundings clean to deter rats
- Store food safely in rodent-proof containers
- Dispose of waste properly and block all entry points for rodents
- Seek healthcare promptly for unexplained fevers or bleeding, especially in endemic areas
- Avoid self-medication and always follow medical advice for suspected infections
Community education remains a powerful weapon in fighting Lassa fever—accurate information saves lives. Civil society groups, local leaders, and media are encouraged to step up efforts to inform and protect their communities.
Share Your Experience or View
Have you or someone close to you been affected by Lassa fever? What’s your view on Nigeria’s response, and what practical changes do you believe could help reduce infections and deaths? Share your thoughts with us in the comments or on social media. Your voice matters.
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