Lassa fever death toll 172 Nigeria 2025
The death toll from Lassa fever in Nigeria has climbed to 172, according to the latest report from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). The figures reflect a rising severity in the outbreak, with the case fatality rate now standing at 18.6 percent, up from 17 percent during the same period in 2024.
By epidemiological week 40, a total of 924 confirmed cases were recorded across 21 states and 106 Local Government Areas. These figures also include 8,041 suspected cases. The outbreak is heavily concentrated in five states: Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba, and Ebonyi. Together, they account for 90 percent of all confirmed cases, with Ondo alone responsible for 35 percent.
In week 40 specifically, confirmed cases increased from four in the prior week to 13, all traced to Ondo State. The most affected age group is between 21 and 30 years, and the ratio of male to female cases is about 1:0.8. Encouragingly, the report states that no new infections among healthcare workers were detected during the week under review.
The NCDC attributes the rising fatality rate to factors such as late presentation of patients at health facilities and poor health-seeking behaviour in affected communities. Other contributing issues include low public awareness, poor hygiene, and environmental sanitation deficits. To help stem the outbreak, the agency has deployed ten national rapid response teams across key states. It is also implementing the “One Health” approach, which integrates human, animal, and environmental health strategies. Interventions like clinician training, risk communication campaigns, and distribution of medical supplies including Ribavirin and PPEs are ongoing.
The NCDC is urging state governments to intensify community engagement efforts, strengthen mechanisms for early detection, and ensure timely referral of suspected cases to treatment centres. Healthcare workers are also reminded to maintain a high index of suspicion and begin prompt treatment for suspected Lassa fever cases.
