The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), confirmed 506 cases of Lassa fever out of 2,492 suspected cases, along with 95 deaths as of February 23, 2025.
This was disclosed in the latest situation report on the hemorrhagic fever for week eight of 2025.
The report indicated that the disease has now spread to 12 states and 70 local government areas, with a Case Fatality Ratio (CFR) of 18.8%.
The states most affected by confirmed cases include Ondo (160), Bauchi (122), Edo (88), and Taraba (80), with smaller numbers reported in Ebonyi (15), Kogi (14), Gombe (11), Plateau (7), Benue (5), Nasarawa (2), Delta (1), and Cross River (1).
Lassa fever, which is more prevalent during Nigeria’s dry season, is a zoonotic viral disease primarily transmitted by the African rat species, also known as the Mastomys rat.
According to the report, “In week eight, the number of new confirmed cases increased from 38 in epi week seven of 2025 to 54.
These were reported in Bauchi, Ondo, Edo, Taraba, Ebonyi, Plateau, Benue, and Kogi States.”
The report further noted, “Cumulatively in week eight, 2025, 95 deaths have been reported with a case fatality rate (CFR) of 18.8%, the same CFR recorded during the same period in 2024.”
The outbreak has been concentrated in three states: Ondo, Bauchi, and Edo, which together account for 73% of all confirmed Lassa fever cases.
Ondo alone has reported 32%, Bauchi 24%, and Edo 17%.
The remaining 27% of confirmed cases are spread across nine other states.
The predominant age group affected is between 21 and 30 years, with a range from 1 to 94 years and a median age of 30.
The male-to-female ratio for confirmed cases stands at 1:0.8.
The report also highlighted a slight decrease in suspected cases compared to the same period in 2024.
“One new healthcare worker was affected in the reporting week eight,” the NCDC added.
In response to the ongoing outbreak, the National Lassa fever multi-partner, multi-sectoral Incident Management System has been activated to coordinate response activities at all levels.
