Lassa fever deaths in 2025 hit 176

From Fred Ezeh, Abuja

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has disclosed that 176 persons have died from Lassa fever in 2025, indicating a Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 18.4 per cent, which is higher than the CFR for the same period in 2024, which was 16.6 per cent.

NCDC, in its 43-week epidemiology report released in Abuja on Wednesday, indicated that 88 per cent of all confirmed Lassa fever cases were reported from four states, namely Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, and Taraba, while 12 per cent were reported from 17 states with confirmed Lassa fever cases.

It also noted that of the 88 per cent confirmed cases, Ondo reported 37%, Bauchi 21%, Edo 17% and Taraba 13%. However, the number of suspected and confirmed cases decreased compared to the ones reported for the same period in 2024.

The weekly epidemiology report noted that no new healthcare worker was affected in the reporting week 43, adding that the National Lassa Fever Multi-Partner, Multi-Sectoral Technical Working Group (TWG) has continued to support the coordination of response activities.

It, however, highlighted the challenges as regards the response to the Lassa fever cases. “This includes late presentation of cases leading to an increase in CFR; poor health-seeking behaviour due to the high cost of treatment and clinical management of Lassa fever; poor environmental sanitation conditions observed in high-burden communities; and poor awareness observed in high-burden communities.”

It asked states to bolster all-year-round efforts for community engagements on prevention of Lassa fever, and also advised healthcare workers to maintain high suspicion for Lassa fever and initiate timely referral and treatment, while NCDC and its partners strengthen state capacity to prevent, detect and respond timely to Lassa fever.