The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported that 172 people have died from Lassa fever across 21 states.
According to the NCDC, this represents a Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 18.6 per cent, which is higher than the 17 per cent recorded during the same period in 2024.
In its Lassa Fever Situation Report for Week 40 (Sept 29–Oct 5), the agency stated that 924 confirmed cases and 8,041 suspected cases were reported from 106 Local Government Areas.
It noted that Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba, and Ebonyi accounted for 90 per cent of all confirmed cases, with Ondo State alone contributing 35 per cent.
The centre further explained that the report showed an increase in confirmed cases from four in Week 39 to 13 in Week 40, all of which occurred in Ondo State.
The NCDC added that the predominant age group affected was between 21 and 30 years, with a male-to-female ratio of 1:0.8, and confirmed that no new infections among healthcare workers were recorded during the week under review.
It attributed the high fatality rate to the late presentation of cases and poor health-seeking behaviour among residents of communities with high infection rates.
It also identified poor environmental sanitation and low awareness as major factors contributing to the spread of infections.
To enhance response efforts, the NCDC disclosed that it had deployed 10 national rapid response teams to the affected states using a One Health approach.
It further stated that ongoing activities include training healthcare workers, carrying out risk communication campaigns, and distributing response materials such as Ribavirin, PPEs, and thermometers to treatment centres.
According to the agency, other interventions include the ongoing INTEGRATE clinical trial in Ondo State, capacity-building workshops for medical professionals, and environmental health campaigns in high-burden states.
The NCDC urged state governments to strengthen community engagement on prevention and improve early case detection and patient referral.
It also advised healthcare workers to maintain a high index of suspicion for Lassa fever and to initiate prompt treatment to reduce mortality.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Lassa fever is a viral haemorrhagic disease endemic in Nigeria, mainly transmitted through contact with food or household items contaminated by infected rats.
It can also be transmitted from person to person, particularly in hospitals where infection control measures are not strictly followed.
The illness causes fever, weakness, vomiting, bleeding, and, in severe cases, organ failure.
Nigeria bears the highest global burden of the disease, with most cases recorded in Ondo, Edo, Bauchi, Taraba, and Ebonyi states.
The disease peaks during the dry season, “December–April,” and has a high fatality rate, especially when patients report late for treatment.
