Lassa Fever Death Toll Hits 142 as NCDC Ramps Up Response in Nigeria

Abuja — The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed that the Lassa fever outbreak in the country has claimed 142 lives and resulted in 747 laboratory-confirmed infections across 18 states as of epidemiological week 22, 2025. The update was contained in the agency’s latest situation report released on Wednesday, sparking renewed public health concerns.

The current Case Fatality Rate (CFR) stands at 19.0 percent, which is slightly higher than the rate recorded during the same period in 2024. Although a marginal increase was noted in new cases—rising from 6 in week 21 to 8 in week 22—the NCDC emphasized that it remains on high alert and continues to coordinate its national response in collaboration with partners and state health ministries.

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Hotspots Identified: Five States Bear the Brunt

The report disclosed that 91 percent of all confirmed cases have been traced to just five states: Ondo (31%), Bauchi (25%), Edo (16%), Taraba (16%), and Ebonyi (3%). These states remain the epicenters of the outbreak, with a significant burden on their health systems.

The age group most affected falls between 21 to 30 years, with a median age of 30, suggesting that young adults are particularly vulnerable. The male-to-female ratio among confirmed cases is reported at 1:0.8, indicating a slightly higher prevalence among men.

Despite the drop in suspected and confirmed cases compared to 2024, the NCDC warns that the situation remains serious. The agency continues to implement its multi-partner, multi-sectoral Incident Management System (IMS) to guide and support response activities across all levels.

National Response Scales Up With Urgent Interventions

In a bid to mitigate the impact of the outbreak, the NCDC has intensified its response efforts, deploying 10 National Rapid Response Teams (NRRTs) to affected states. These teams are working directly with local health authorities, employing the One Health approach to ensure a comprehensive and coordinated strategy that involves human, animal, and environmental health sectors.

Among the notable interventions, the NCDC has:

• Conducted a Lassa fever risk dynamic assessment
• Integrated Lassa fever awareness messages into broader Viral Haemorrhagic Fevers (VHFs) communication campaigns
• Launched an Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) e-learning platform, developed in partnership with DRASA and funded by the Global Fund
• Printed and distributed IPC guidelines to healthcare facilities, with technical assistance from the Robert Koch Institute

The Centre has also bolstered the capacity of state IPC structures, such as the Orange Network and designated Lassa fever treatment centres, to enhance infection control and reduce hospital-acquired infections (HAIs)—a known challenge in outbreak scenarios.

Calls for Vigilance and Community Education

The NCDC is urging Nigerians, especially those in high-risk areas, to remain vigilant and adhere to Lassa fever prevention protocols. These include avoiding contact with rodents, proper food storage, environmental hygiene, and the prompt reporting of symptoms.

Symptoms of Lassa fever can include fever, headache, sore throat, muscle pain, and in severe cases, bleeding and organ failure. It is primarily spread through contact with food or household items contaminated with rodent urine or feces, or from person to person via bodily fluids.

“Public education is vital,” the NCDC stated. “We are intensifying our community-level communication efforts to ensure that every Nigerian understands how to prevent this disease and what to do if symptoms appear.”

Healthcare workers have also been advised to maintain strict adherence to IPC practices, especially in high-burden Local Government Areas (LGAs), to prevent further spread within healthcare settings.

Global and National Support Bolsters Preparedness

The NCDC acknowledged support from international and domestic partners in its ongoing efforts. Technical support from the Robert Koch Institute and financial backing from the Global Fund have played pivotal roles in ensuring rapid deployment and capacity building.

The IPC e-learning platform, now live, provides healthcare workers with up-to-date training on best practices for managing Lassa fever and other viral hemorrhagic fevers. The Centre believes that equipping frontline workers with such knowledge is essential in breaking the chain of transmission.

Outlook and Future Plans

As Nigeria navigates the current outbreak, the NCDC reiterated its commitment to proactive surveillance, early case detection, and community engagement. Plans are in place to expand diagnostic capacity and increase the availability of treatment centres in affected regions.

While the outbreak appears to be under control in some areas, experts caution that the Lassa virus is endemic in Nigeria, with seasonal spikes typically occurring in the dry season. Sustained public health education, environmental sanitation, and improved disease reporting are necessary to minimize the impact of future outbreaks.

The NCDC concluded its report with a call to all Nigerians: “Prevention is a collective responsibility. Every household, every community must play a role in stopping the spread of Lassa fever.”