Nigeria is recording a positive turn in its battle against Lassa Fever, with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) confirming only 14 new cases and three deaths in the 13 epidemiological week of 2025.
This marks a significant decline compared to previous weeks, where 41 infections were reported.
The latest cases were reported from five states—Ondo, Bauchi, Taraba, Ebonyi, and Nasarawa.
The affected individuals range in age from age 1 to 90, with the majority falling between age 21 and 30. Meanwhile, no new infections were reported among healthcare workers during the week.
In 2025, a total of 122 deaths have been recorded, translating to a Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 18.5 percent—slightly lower than the 18.7 percent CFR recorded at the same time in 2024
According to the agency, at least one confirmed case has been reported in 18 states across 93 Local Government Areas this year.
Three states—Ondo (30%), Bauchi (25%), and Edo (16%)—account for 71 percent of all confirmed cases for week 13.
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The NCDC also noted a male-to-female ratio of 1:0.8 among confirmed cases, and highlighted a drop in the number of suspected cases compared to last year.
To bolster the national response, the NCDC said the multi-partner, multi-sectoral Incident Management System (IMS) remains fully activated in coordinating activities to ensure safety at all levels.
Despite the progress, several challenges persist, including late presentation of cases, poor health-seeking behavior due to the high cost of treatment, poor sanitation, and low awareness in high-risk communities.
To prevent spread and outbreak, the authorities charge Nigerians to adopt preventive measures such as proper hygiene, rodent control, and early reporting of symptoms.
According to the agency, early medical intervention remains key to reducing fatalities and containing the outbreak.
