The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control confirms 739 Lassa fever cases and 141 deaths across 18 states in 2025, with the majority from Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba, and Ebonyi

[dropcap]L[/dropcap]assa fever outbreak in Nigeria has resulted in 739 confirmed cases and 141 deaths between January and 25 May 2025, according to the latest situation report released by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).

Also read: NCDC reports 717 Lassa Fever cases in Nigeria

The confirmed cases were identified out of 5,242 suspected cases across 95 local government areas in 18 states.

The agency’s latest update, published on its website on Sunday, highlights the urgency of addressing the spread of this viral haemorrhagic fever.

According to the report, 90 per cent of the confirmed cases were concentrated in just five states: Ondo (30%), Bauchi (25%), Edo (16%), Taraba (16%), and Ebonyi (3%). The remaining 10 per cent were spread across 13 other states.

A total of 141 fatalities have been recorded, marking a Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 19.1 per cent—higher than the CFR of 18.1 per cent during the same period in 2024.

The breakdown of confirmed cases per state includes:

Ondo – 224 cases
Bauchi – 185
Edo – 121
Taraba – 116
Ebonyi – 21
Kogi – 15
Gombe – 14
Plateau – 13
Benue – 11
Nasarawa – 5
Kaduna – 3
Enugu – 3
Delta – 2
Cross River – 2
Borno, Ogun, FCT, and Anambra – 1 each

Lassa fever remains a significant public health challenge in Nigeria. We urge citizens to maintain good hygiene and report symptoms early.

States reporting deaths include Taraba (34), Ondo (28), Edo (20), Bauchi (16), and Ebonyi (11), among others.

Lassa fever is a severe viral illness primarily transmitted through contact with food or household items contaminated by infected rodents, particularly the multimammate rat (also known as the African rat).

In 2025 so far, the disease has affected 22 healthcare workers, raising further concern over the spread in medical settings.

The report also noted:

“In week 21, the number of new confirmed cases decreased from 13 to six, all from Ondo and Bauchi states.”

The age group most affected ranges between 21 to 30 years, with a median age of 30. The male-to-female ratio stands at 1:0.8.

Also read: Cabal moves to bury suspended health commissioner career after Lassa Fever death

To combat the outbreak, the NCDC has activated its multi-partner, multi-sectoral incident management system, coordinating with national and international stakeholders to contain the disease’s impact.