Amid the ongoing fight against Lassa fever in the country, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has revealed that the death toll has risen to 127, with Taraba and Ondo States recording the highest numbers.
The health organization noted that between January and April 6, 2025, approximately 674 cases were confirmed out of 4,025 suspected cases across 18 states and 93 local government areas.
According to the Nigerian health organization on Tuesday, the Case Fatality Rate (CFR) was recorded at 18.8 per cent.
However, there has been a decline in the number of suspected cases compared to last year, with no health worker contracting the disease.
The states with reported deaths include Taraba (31), Ondo (26), Bauchi (12), Edo (17), Ebonyi (11), Kogi (4), and Plateau (5).
Others are Gombe (7), Benue (4), Nasarawa (4), Kaduna (2), Enugu (1), Delta (1), Cross River (1), and Ogun (1).
Lassa fever, also known as Lassa hemorrhagic fever, is caused by the Lassa virus and spread primarily by rodents, especially the African rat.
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The document read, “In week 14, the number of new confirmed cases increased from 14 in epi week 13, of 2025 to 15. These were reported in Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba, Ebonyi, and Gombe States. Cumulatively in week 14, 2025, 127 deaths have been reported with a CFR of 18.8 per cent, which is higher than the CFR for the same period in 2024 (18.5 per cent).
“In total for 2025, 18 States have recorded at least one confirmed case across 93 LGAs. 71 per cent of all confirmed Lassa fever cases were reported from these three states (Ondo, Bauchi and Edo) while 28 per cent were reported from 15 states with confirmed Lassa fever cases. Of the 71 per cent confirmed cases, Ondo reported 30 per cent, Bauchi 25 per cent, and Edo 16 per cent.
“The predominant age group affected is 21-30 years (Range: 1 to 94 years, Median Age: 30 years). The male-to-female ratio for confirmed cases is 1:0.8.”
Symptoms include fever, weakness, headaches, vomiting, and muscle pains.
However, the National Lassa Fever Multi-Partner group, including the multi-sectoral Incident Management System, has been activated to coordinate response activities at all levels.
