Lassa Fever in Nigeria cases drop, but NCDC warns fatality rate remains high at 18.6%, urging vigilance and stronger prevention efforts

Lassa Fever in Nigeria has shown a decline in new infections, but the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has warned that the fatality rate remains dangerously high.

Also read: Lassa Fever outbreak in Nigeria, 739 confirmed cases,141 deaths across 18 states

In its Situation Report for epidemiological week 33 (August 11–17, 2025), the NCDC confirmed five new cases, a drop from 12 the previous week.

The fresh infections were reported in Bauchi, Ondo, and Edo States.

According to the report, a total of 854 confirmed cases and 159 deaths have been recorded across 21 states and 106 local government areas in 2025.

This represents a case fatality rate of 18.6%, higher than the 17.2% reported in the same period last year.

The NCDC said that 90% of all cases came from five states: Ondo (33%), Bauchi (23%), Edo (17%), Taraba (14%), and Ebonyi (3%).

The most affected age group remains young adults aged 21 to 30, with slightly more males than females infected.

While suspected and confirmed cases have dropped compared to 2024, the agency warned of persistent challenges.

These include late presentation of patients, poor health-seeking behavior due to treatment costs, and poor environmental sanitation in high-burden communities.

In response, the NCDC said it had intensified measures with partners such as the WHO and the US CDC. Ongoing interventions include community awareness campaigns, training of health workers, deployment of 10 rapid response teams, and the launch of an e-learning platform on infection prevention and control.

The agency urged states to sustain year-round community engagement and advised healthcare workers to maintain a high index of suspicion for early referral and treatment of suspected cases.

Lassa fever, a viral haemorrhagic illness caused by the Lassa virus carried by Mastomys rats, remains endemic in West Africa.

Transmission occurs through contact with contaminated food, surfaces, or body fluids of infected persons.

While most cases are mild, severe infections can cause bleeding, seizures, organ damage, and pregnancy loss in more than 75% of infected expectant mothers. Survivors often face long-term complications such as permanent hearing loss.

Despite its risks, Lassa fever has remained confined to West Africa, with Nigeria, Benin, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, and Sierra Leone most affected.

Also read: NCDC reports 717 Lassa Fever cases in Nigeria

As Nigeria marks a decline in cases but faces a rising death rate, the NCDC stressed that sustained vigilance and stronger prevention efforts are critical to saving lives.