Lassa Fever Claims 176 Nigerians This Year Amid 955 Cases — NCDC
November 5, 2025
News
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported that the death toll from Lassa fever in Nigeria has risen to 176, with 955 confirmed infections recorded so far in 2025.
According to the NCDC’s latest epidemiological report for Week 43, the country’s Case Fatality Rate (CFR) now stands at 18.4%, marking a sharp increase from 16.6% recorded during the same period in 2024.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) describes Lassa fever as an acute viral haemorrhagic illness caused by the Lassa virus, which belongs to the Arenavirus family. The virus is primarily transmitted to humans through contact with food or household items contaminated by the urine or faeces of infected Mastomys rats, a rodent species commonly found across West Africa.
WHO further stated that Lassa fever remains endemic in several West African countries including Benin, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Sierra Leone, Togo, and Nigeria, and may also exist in other nations where disease surveillance is limited.
The NCDC report noted that as of Week 43, 21 states across 102 Local Government Areas (LGAs) have recorded at least one confirmed case of the disease this year.
“In Week 43, the number of new confirmed cases increased from nine in epidemiological week 42 to 11, all of which were reported in Ondo State,” the agency said.
“Cumulatively, as of Week 43, 2025, 176 deaths have been recorded, representing a Case Fatality Rate of 18.4%, higher than the 16.6% reported in the same period of 2024. In total, 21 states have recorded at least one confirmed case across 102 LGAs.”
Further analysis shows that 88% of all confirmed cases were reported from four states — Ondo (37%), Bauchi (21%), Edo (17%), and Taraba (13%) — while the remaining 12% came from 17 other states.
The most affected age group falls between 21 and 30 years, with a median age of 30. The male-to-female ratio among confirmed cases is 1:0.8.
The NCDC added that the number of suspected and confirmed cases this year has decreased compared to the same period in 2024. It also confirmed that no new healthcare worker infections were recorded in Week 43.
The agency stated that the National Lassa Fever Multi-Partner, Multi-Sectoral Technical Working Group continues to provide support and coordinate response activities across all levels.