The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported that 172 people have died from Lassa fever so far in 2025, with 924 confirmed cases recorded across 21 states and 106 Local Government Areas as of epidemiological week 40.

 

 

 

In its latest situation report released on Tuesday, the agency noted that the case fatality rate has risen to 18.6 per cent, up from 17 per cent during the same period in 2024. This, it said, reflects a troubling increase in both infections and deaths linked to the virus.

 

 

 

 

According to the report, most of the confirmed cases were concentrated in Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba, and Ebonyi States, which together accounted for 90 per cent of the infections, while the remaining 10 per cent were spread across 16 other states. The NCDC said that in week 40, the number of new confirmed cases rose from four in week 39 to thirteen, all of which were reported from Ondo State.

 

 

 

The agency also observed that the most affected age group falls between 21 and 30 years, with a male-to-female ratio of 1 to 0.8. It added that no new infections among healthcare workers were reported within the period under review, which it described as an encouraging development.

 

 

 

 

The NCDC reiterated its call for continuous vigilance, improved hygiene, and early treatment, warning that the recent rise in cases highlights the ongoing threat of Lassa fever in

parts of Nigeria.