In a troubling surge, Lassa fever has claimed the lives of 39 individuals across Nigeria within a span of just three weeks, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) revealed in its latest situation report.
PLATFORM TIMES reports that from December 30, 2024, to January 19, 2025, the NCDC confirmed a total of 214 cases of Lassa fever in 10 states, spanning 43 local government areas.
According to the NCDC’s report obtained on Thursday, the affected states include Ondo, Edo, Bauchi, Taraba, Ebonyi, Gombe, Kogi, Plateau, Delta, and Nasarawa.
The highest number of confirmed cases were reported in Ondo (82), followed by Edo (47) and Bauchi (35).
Tragically, the fatalities were concentrated in several states, with Ondo (8), Edo (9), and Taraba (9) recording the highest number of deaths.
The case fatality rate stands at 18.2%, indicating a slight decrease compared to the same period last year.
Lassa fever, caused by the Lassa virus, primarily spreads through exposure to food or household items contaminated by the urine or feces of infected Mastomys rats, endemic in parts of West Africa including Nigeria.
The disease poses a significant public health challenge, with the World Health Organization emphasizing the potential for person-to-person transmission, particularly in healthcare settings lacking adequate infection prevention measures.
The NCDC’s report highlighted a decrease in new confirmed cases from 89 in the second epidemiological week of 2025 to 71 in the third week.
Despite this, the overall toll remains severe, with efforts intensified through the National Lassa fever multi-partner, multi-sectoral Incident Management System.
This coordinated approach involves deploying National Rapid Response Teams to support local efforts, utilizing a comprehensive One Health strategy.
Health authorities continue to monitor the situation closely as they strive to contain the outbreak and mitigate further spread, emphasizing community awareness and infection control measures as crucial components of the ongoing response.
The NCDC urges vigilance among healthcare providers and the public alike, underscoring the importance of early detection, prompt treatment, and strict adherence to hygiene protocols to curb the impact of Lassa fever in Nigeria.
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