The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has expressed concern over a rise in deaths from Lassa fever this year, even though the number of confirmed cases is lower than in 2024.
According to the agency’s latest situation report covering Epidemiological Week 37, a total of 166 people lost their lives to the disease between January and mid-September 2025.
This translates to a case fatality rate of 18.5 per cent, higher than the 16.9 per cent recorded during the same period last year.
NCDC explained that the increased deaths are largely linked to delays in seeking medical attention and the high cost of treatment, which discourage patients from presenting early at health facilities.
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Data from the report show that 895 confirmed infections were documented across 21 states and 106 local government areas.
Despite the overall decline in suspected and confirmed cases compared to 2024, most of the country’s Lassa fever burden remains concentrated in Ondo, Edo, Bauchi, Taraba and Ebonyi states, with Ondo accounting for roughly one-third of all confirmed cases.
The agency noted that no new healthcare worker infection was reported within the week under review.
However, it warned that poor hygiene practices, weak community awareness, and late access to care continue to fuel transmission and worsen outcomes.
To strengthen the response, the NCDC said it has deployed 10 rapid response teams to affected states, rolled out new infection prevention and control training modules, and supported advanced clinical management programmes for health professionals in collaboration with both local and international partners.
The centre urged state governments to intensify public enlightenment campaigns in high-burden areas and advised healthcare workers to maintain a high index of suspicion while initiating treatment promptly when symptoms of the disease are identified.
Lassa fever, a viral haemorrhagic illness endemic in parts of West Africa, is spread to humans through contact with food or household items contaminated by rodents.
Person-to-person transmission is also possible, particularly in health facilities without adequate infection control.
