The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has announced a reduction in confirmed Lassa fever cases for Epidemiological Week 3 of 2025. Despite this positive trend, the agency has raised alarms over the 39 fatalities recorded thus far this year.
In its latest Lassa Fever Situation Report, published on Sunday, the NCDC noted a decline in confirmed cases, which dropped from 89 in Week 2 to 71 in Week 3. Infections were identified across multiple states, including Ondo, Edo, Bauchi, Taraba, Plateau, Ebonyi, Gombe, Nasarawa, Delta, and Kogi.
While the weekly case numbers have decreased, the cumulative total for confirmed cases in 2025 has reached 214, with an 18.2 percent Case Fatality Ratio (CFR). This represents a slight improvement compared to the 20.4 percent CFR recorded during the same timeframe in 2024.
The report highlighted that a significant majority of confirmed cases, approximately 77 percent, originated from three states: Ondo (38 percent), Edo (22 percent), and Bauchi (17 percent). The most affected demographic was individuals aged 21 to 30, with reported cases spanning ages from three to 94. Notably, no new infections among healthcare workers were recorded this week.
The NCDC disclosed that ten states and 43 Local Government Areas (LGAs) have reported at least one confirmed case this year, a decrease from the 17 states and 54 LGAs affected in 2024. In response to the outbreak, the NCDC has activated a multi-sectoral Incident Management System and deployed National Rapid Response Teams to the impacted regions.
Key interventions being implemented include enhanced surveillance and contact tracing, with 109 contacts currently under follow-up. Additionally, healthcare workers in Bauchi, Ebonyi, and Benue have received training on case management, with further training planned for Plateau and Taraba.
The agency has also distributed essential medical supplies, such as personal protective equipment (PPE), Ribavirin, body bags, and sanitizers to treatment centers, alongside community sensitization efforts in Bauchi, Ebonyi, and Edo States.
In partnership with various stakeholders, the NCDC aims to bolster early detection, effective case management, and risk communication nationwide. Public health experts emphasize the necessity of heightened awareness and improved healthcare preparedness to mitigate the impact of Lassa fever in Nigeria.
Authorities are urging citizens to adopt preventive measures, including proper food storage to deter rodent infestations and maintaining good hygiene practices. They also recommend seeking medical attention at designated treatment centers if symptoms arise.
Lassa fever, endemic to Nigeria, was first identified in 1969 in Lassa, Borno State. Symptoms can range from mild fever and joint pain to severe bleeding from the nose, mouth, and gastrointestinal tract. The disease has a fatality rate of approximately 20 percent, particularly when treatment is delayed. Across West Africa, hundreds of thousands are affected each year, with symptoms including fever, vomiting, and, in severe cases, bleeding. One of the more troubling complications is hearing loss, which impacts about 25 percent of survivors.
Despite its significant health implications, Lassa fever remains one of the most neglected diseases, suffering from limited resources dedicated to its prevention and treatment. Currently, there are no licensed vaccines available, although around 20 candidates are under development, with the most advanced in Phase IIa clinical trials.
