The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed that the death toll from Lassa fever in the country has climbed to 168, up from 166 previously reported.
In its epidemiological report released on Friday, the agency disclosed that between January 1 and September 21, 2025, Nigeria recorded 7,792 suspected cases and 906 confirmed cases across 21 states and 106 Local Government Areas. The Case Fatality Rate (CFR) now stands at 18.5 per cent, higher than the 16.9 per cent recorded during the same period in 2024.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Lassa fever is an acute viral illness caused by the Lassa virus and remains endemic in Nigeria and several West African countries including Benin, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, and Sierra Leone. Transmission occurs mainly through food or household items contaminated with rodent urine or faeces, while person-to-person spread is possible in health facilities with weak infection control measures.
The NCDC noted that 90 per cent of confirmed cases in 2025 came from five states: Ondo (33%), Bauchi (23%), Edo (18%), Taraba (13%), and Ebonyi (3%). The remaining 10 per cent were spread across 16 other states. The most affected age group is 21–30 years, with a median age of 30. The male-to-female ratio among confirmed cases stands at 1:0.8.
In Week 38 alone, 11 new confirmed cases were reported in Ondo, Edo, and Taraba States, the same number as recorded in Week 37. No new healthcare workers were affected during the week.
Despite the increase in fatalities, the NCDC said both suspected and confirmed cases have declined compared to the same period in 2024. It added that its multi-sectoral Technical Working Group continues to lead the national response to the outbreak.
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