Lassa Fever Death Toll Rises To 177 – NCDC

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has announced that the death toll from Lassa fever in 2025 has climbed to 177, marking an increase in the nation’s Case Fatality Rate (CFR).

According to the agency’s latest epidemiological report released on Thursday, the CFR as of Week 44 now stands at 18.3 per cent, up from 16.5 per cent recorded during the same period in 2024.

The World Health Organisation describes Lassa fever as an acute viral haemorrhagic illness caused by the Lassa virus, typically transmitted to humans through contact with food or household items contaminated by the urine or faeces of infected Mastomys rats.

The disease remains endemic across several West African countries, including Nigeria, Benin, Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Liberia.

As of Week 44, ending November 2, Nigeria has recorded 966 confirmed cases of the disease.

Twenty-one states have so far reported at least one confirmed infection across 102 local government areas.

The NCDC noted an uptick in cases during the latest reporting period, “In Week 44, the number of new confirmed cases increased from 11 in epidemiological Week 43 to 12. These were reported in Ondo, Edo and Benue states.”

The report revealed that 87 per cent of all confirmed cases originated from four states: Ondo (36%), Bauchi (21%), Edo (17%), and Taraba (13%). The remaining 13 per cent were reported across 17 other states.

The predominant age group affected is 21–30 years, with a median age of 30, while the male-to-female ratio stands at 1:0.8.

The NCDC added that overall suspected and confirmed cases have decreased compared to the same period last year, and no new infections among healthcare workers were recorded in Week 44.

“The National Lassa fever multi-partner, multi-sectoral Technical Working Group continues supporting coordination of response activities at all levels,” the agency said.

Punch