The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported that the country has recorded 152 deaths from Lassa fever so far this year, with a Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 18.7 per cent — a noticeable increase compared to the 17.3 per cent recorded during the same period in 2024.
According to the agency’s latest update released on Monday, Nigeria has documented 6,520 suspected cases and 811 confirmed infections across 21 states and 105 Local Government Areas as of epidemiological Week 28.
The NCDC said the number of new confirmed cases remained unchanged from the previous week (Week 27), with fresh cases emerging from Ondo, Edo, and Benue states.
A breakdown of the data shows that five states account for the bulk of confirmed infections. Ondo leads with 32 per cent of total confirmed cases, followed by Bauchi (23 per cent), Edo (17 per cent), Taraba (14 per cent), and Ebonyi (three per cent). These states collectively represent 89 per cent of the total confirmed cases in the country, while the remaining 11 per cent were spread across 16 other states.
The most affected demographic is young adults between the ages of 21 and 30, with a median age of 30 years.
“In Week 28, the number of new confirmed cases is the same as in epi week 27 of 2025,” the NCDC report stated. “These were reported in Ondo, Edo, and Benue States. Cumulatively, as at Week 28, 152 deaths have been reported with a Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 18.7 per cent.”
The agency also confirmed that no new healthcare workers were infected during the reporting week. It noted that the national Lassa fever multi-partner, multi-sectoral Technical Working Group continues to coordinate response activities at all levels to contain the outbreak.
Lassa fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic illness endemic in Nigeria and several West African countries. The NCDC continues to urge the public to maintain proper hygiene, avoid contact with rodents, and seek immediate medical attention if symptoms arise.
