Lassa fever infections are once again on the rise in Nigeria, with health authorities confirming a surge in fatalities despite intensified public health efforts.
According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), the country has recorded 747 confirmed cases and 142 deaths so far in 2025, representing a case fatality rate (CFR) of 19.0%. This marks a worrying increase from the 18.1% CFR reported during the same period in 2024.
The update was contained in the NCDC’s latest Situation Report for Epidemiological Week 22 (May 26–June 1), released on Friday. The report confirmed eight new cases across Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, and Nasarawa states—an uptick from six the previous week.
The disease, which is endemic in Nigeria, has now spread to 18 states and 96 local government areas (LGAs), with Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba, and Ebonyi states accounting for 91% of all confirmed infections.
Although no new infections were recorded among healthcare workers in the past week and no probable cases were reported, health experts continue to highlight persistent challenges, including late presentation of cases, inadequate sanitation in endemic areas, and limited health-seeking behaviour among the population.
In response, the NCDC said it has ramped up containment measures. These include deploying rapid response teams, launching community sensitisation campaigns, and expanding its e-learning platform to train healthcare workers on infection prevention and control.
Commenting on the resurgence, public health expert Dr. Solomon Chollom stressed the need for community involvement in the fight against the virus.
“We can’t fight Lassa with hospital efforts alone,” he said. “The communities must be empowered to understand how this disease spreads, mainly through contact with rodent urine or faeces, and what they can do to prevent it.”
Dr. Chollom also noted that while Lassa fever typically spikes during the dry season, recent patterns show year-round transmission—a shift he attributed to urbanisation, climate change, and poor sanitation.
“Young adults aged 21 to 30 remain the most affected demographic, which calls for focused awareness campaigns in schools, markets, and workplaces,” he added.
The NCDC echoed this call, urging state governments and local councils to invest in waste disposal, grassroots surveillance, and early detection systems.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with multiple public health threats—including cholera and mpox—the ongoing Lassa fever outbreak highlights the fragility of the nation’s health infrastructure and the urgent need for a unified response.
Lassa fever, a viral haemorrhagic illness, can spread through exposure to infected rodent waste, person-to-person contact via bodily fluids, or contaminated medical equipment. Common symptoms include fever, sore throat, vomiting, muscle pain, and, in severe cases, bleeding from body openings.
(NAN)
