The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported a total of 811 confirmed cases of Lassa fever and 152 deaths across the country since the beginning of 2025, according to its latest situation report.
The data, published on Monday in the Week 28 Lassa Fever Situation Report (covering July 7–13, 2025), revealed that 11 new cases were confirmed in Ondo, Edo, and Benue States during the week under review.
In the report, the NCDC stated: “811 confirmed cases and 152 deaths recorded cumulatively in 2025. Case Fatality Rate (CFR) is 18.7%, higher than the 17.3% reported in the same period in 2024. 89% of confirmed cases are from five states: Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba, and Ebonyi.”
So far this year, at least one confirmed case has been recorded in 21 states, spanning 105 Local Government Areas, the agency added. The number of confirmed cases reported in Week 28 was unchanged from the previous epidemiological week.
In response to the continued spread of the virus, the NCDC said it has launched an environmental response campaign targeting high-burden states. However, the agency expressed concern over the rising death toll, attributing it to the late presentation of cases.
The report also identified several challenges hindering the fight against Lassa fever, including poor health-seeking behavior due to the high cost of treatment, inadequate clinical management, substandard environmental sanitation in affected communities, and low public awareness.
To curb further spread, the NCDC urged members of the public to promptly report suspected cases, especially individuals exhibiting symptoms such as malaise, fever, sore throat, cough, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, muscle pain, chest pain, and hearing loss.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Lassa fever is an acute viral illness caused by the Lassa virus. The disease is endemic in Nigeria, Benin, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, and Sierra Leone, and likely exists in other West African nations.
The virus is primarily transmitted to humans through contact with food or household items contaminated by the urine or faeces of infected rodents. Person-to-person transmission is also possible, especially in healthcare settings where infection prevention and control measures are inadequate.
