Nigeria has recorded 80 deaths from Lassa fever within a week (3rd to 9th March), according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC). The agency confirmed 413 new Lassa fever cases across 11 states during Epidemiological Week 6 (Feb. 3–9, 2025).
Rising Fatality Rate and Affected Areas
The NCDC, in its latest Lassa Fever Situation Report published on its official website, stated that the case fatality rate (CFR) had surged to 19.4%, an increase from 17.5% in the same period last year. The report highlighted that 73% of confirmed cases originated from three states:
- Ondo State – 34% of cases
- Edo State – 21% of cases
- Bauchi State – 18% of cases
A total of 63 local government areas in these 11 states have reported confirmed cases.
**“Despite a decline in new cases from 68 in Week 5 to 54 in Week 6, the agency remains concerned about the high fatality rate.
“The affected age group is primarily 21 to 30 years, with a male-to-female ratio of 1:0.8.”**
The NCDC also noted that while no new healthcare worker infections were reported this week, delayed case presentations have significantly contributed to the increasing fatality rate. The challenges include poor health-seeking behavior, high treatment costs, and low awareness in high-burden communities.
Response Efforts and Preventive Measures
To combat the outbreak, the NCDC has activated the National Lassa Fever Multi-Sectoral Incident Management System (IMS) to coordinate interventions. Key measures include:
- Deployment of National Rapid Response Teams (NRRT) to Gombe, Nasarawa, and Benue states.
- Training healthcare workers in case management across Bauchi, Ebonyi, and Benue.
- Enhanced surveillance and contact tracing in affected states.
- Distribution of response commodities, including personal protective equipment (PPE), Ribavirin, thermometers, and body bags.
- Community sensitization and risk communication campaigns in high-risk areas.
The NCDC is also collaborating with international partners such as the World Health Organization (WHO), Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), and the International Research Centre of Excellence (IRCE) to strengthen diagnosis, treatment, and outbreak response.
How to Stay Safe from Lassa Fever
Lassa fever is primarily transmitted through contact with the feces and urine of infected rodents (mainly rats) and through direct contact with infected persons. The NCDC urges Nigerians to take the following preventive measures:
- Store food properly in sealed containers to prevent rat contamination.
- Keep homes clean and eliminate rodent hiding places.
- Practice good hand hygiene by washing hands regularly with soap and water.
- Avoid bush burning, which drives rats into homes and increases the risk of infection.
- Seek medical help early if experiencing symptoms such as fever, sore throat, weakness, or unexplained bleeding.
“As the Lassa fever season peaks, the NCDC is intensifying case management training, rapid response coordination, and infection prevention measures to curb the outbreak’s spread,” the agency said.
Nationwide Awareness Campaign and Real-Time Updates
A nationwide rodent control and community awareness campaign is being planned in collaboration with Breakthrough Action Nigeria (BA-N) and other stakeholders to further reduce the spread of Lassa fever.
