Nigeria Reports 895 Lassa Fever Cases, 166 Deaths

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has released its latest Situation Report, covering Week 37 (September 8–14, 2025), confirming a total of 895 Lassa fever cases and 166 deaths across the country so far in 2025. 

The latest weekly update reported 11 new confirmed cases in Ondo, Bauchi, Kogi, and Anambra States, representing a slight decline from the 13 cases recorded in the previous week. 

The cumulative figures translate to a Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 18.5 percent, which is higher than the 16.9 percent CFR reported during the corresponding period in 2024. 

Lassa fever has now been confirmed in 21 states across 106 Local Government Areas (LGAs). However, approximately 90 percent of all infections are concentrated in just five states: Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba, and Ebonyi, highlighting the sustained severe burden of the disease in these regions. 

The NCDC report also indicated that the 21–30 age group remains the most affected. Encouragingly, no new infections among healthcare workers were recorded during the reporting week, and both the suspected and confirmed cases show a downward trend compared to the same period last year. 

While reaffirming its commitment to outbreak control, the NCDC urged Nigerians to maintain vigilance and adopt crucial preventive measures, including avoiding contact with rodents, ensuring proper food storage, and seeking early medical attention for any suspected symptoms.