The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has raised fresh concerns over the continued spread of Lassa fever in the country, revealing that 168 lives have been lost across 21 states in 2025 alone.
In its latest situation report for epidemiological week 38, the NCDC reported that 4,543 suspected cases have been recorded so far this year, of which 897 have been confirmed positive. The case fatality rate (CFR) currently stands at 18.7 percent, underscoring the severity of the outbreak.
According to the report, Ondo, Edo, Taraba, and Bauchi States remain the epicentres of the disease, accounting for about 67 percent of all confirmed cases nationwide. Ondo State continues to bear the highest burden, followed closely by Edo and Bauchi States.
Other affected states listed by the health agency include Ebonyi, Benue, Kogi, Gombe, Plateau, Kaduna, Nasarawa, Enugu, Delta, Anambra, Rivers, Borno, Oyo, Ogun, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and Lagos.
The NCDC further noted that the majority of confirmed cases occurred among individuals aged 21 to 40 years, a demographic identified as the most socially and economically active — thereby more prone to exposure to the rodent-borne disease.
“This age group is more engaged in outdoor and occupational activities that increase the risk of contact with infected rodents or contaminated food and materials,” the agency explained.
Lassa fever, an acute viral haemorrhagic illness, is primarily transmitted to humans through contact with food or household items contaminated with the urine or faeces of infected rats. It can also spread through person-to-person contact, especially in healthcare settings without proper infection control measures.
The NCDC has urged Nigerians to maintain proper hygiene, store food safely, and avoid contact with rodents, stressing that early detection and treatment can significantly improve survival chances.
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