The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has issued a stark warning following the confirmation of 506 cases of Lassa fever across Nigeria, with the disease claiming the lives of 95 individuals as of February 23, 2025.
PLATFORM TIMES reports that the disease has spread to 12 states and 70 local government areas in the country.
According to the NCDC’s latest situation report for week eight of 2025, the Case Fatality Ratio (CFR) stands at 18.8%, consistent with figures from the previous year.
The confirmed cases have been predominantly reported in Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba, Ebonyi, and several other states, underscoring the geographical breadth of the outbreak.
Lassa fever, an acute viral illness primarily transmitted by the common African rat species, poses a heightened risk during the dry season in Nigeria.
The disease’s transmission dynamics make it a significant public health challenge, requiring vigilant surveillance and rapid response strategies.
“In week eight, the number of new confirmed cases rose to 54, up from 38 reported in the preceding week,” the NCDC’s report noted.
The centre further said that the most affected age group is between 21-30 years, with a notable male-to-female ratio of 1:0.8 among confirmed cases.
In response to the escalating crisis, the NCDC said it has activated a National Lassa Fever multi-partner, multi-sectoral Incident Management System.
It added that th coordinated effort aims to enhance response activities across all levels of healthcare delivery, from local communities to national healthcare facilities.
According to the NCDC, efforts are underway to strengthen surveillance systems, improve diagnostic capabilities, and ensure adequate supply of medical resources in affected regions
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