The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed 563 cases of Lassa fever from 2,960 suspected infections, with 103 deaths recorded as of March 9, 2025.
According to the NCDC’s latest situation report for Week 10, the viral hemorrhagic disease has spread to 14 states and 78 local government areas, with a Case Fatality Ratio of 18.3 percent.
“The number of new confirmed cases dropped slightly from 29 in epidemiological week 9 to 28 in week 10,” the report stated. “These cases were recorded in Bauchi, Ondo, Edo, Plateau, Delta, Anambra, Kogi, and Taraba states.”
The NCDC report revealed that the highest number of confirmed cases came from Ondo (175), Bauchi (139), and Edo (98), which together accounted for 73 percent of all infections. Other states affected include Taraba (84), Ebonyi (17), Kogi (15), Gombe (11), Plateau (10), Benue (5), Nasarawa (3), Delta (2), Cross River (2), Enugu (1), and Anambra (1).
“Among the 73 percent of confirmed cases, Ondo recorded 31 percent, Bauchi 25 percent, and Edo 17 percent,” the report highlighted.
Lassa fever, a zoonotic disease primarily spread by the common African rat (Mastomys species), is more prevalent in Nigeria during the dry season.
Despite the severity of the outbreak, the CFR of 18.3 percent is slightly lower than the 18.9 percent recorded during the same period in 2024. The affected age group ranges from 1 to 94 years, with a median age of 30 years. The male-to-female ratio of confirmed cases is 1:0.8.
The NCDC also disclosed that a healthcare worker was among those infected in the latest reporting week, bringing concerns about occupational exposure.
To curb the spread, the NCDC has activated a National Lassa Fever Multi-Partner, Multi-Sectoral Incident Management System to coordinate response efforts across all levels.
“A total of 351 individuals have been placed under surveillance due to potential exposure,” the report noted.
The agency reassured the public that efforts are ongoing to reduce transmission, urging citizens to take preventive measures such as maintaining good hygiene and avoiding contact with rodents.
