NCDC: Death toll hits 162 as Lassa fever spreads in states

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has announced a surge in Lassa fever cases, with a total of 162 deaths recorded across 21 states as of epidemiological week 35 (August 25–31). Lassa fever is a viral haemorrhagic disease endemic in Nigeria, spread mainly through contact with food or household items contaminated by […]

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has announced a surge in Lassa fever cases, with a total of 162 deaths recorded across 21 states as of epidemiological week 35 (August 25–31).

Lassa fever is a viral haemorrhagic disease endemic in Nigeria, spread mainly through contact with food or household items contaminated by infected rats.

It can also spread from person to person, especially in hospitals without strict infection control measures.

The illness causes fever, weakness, vomiting, bleeding, and in severe cases, organ failure.

• Police arrest 4 robbery suspects, recover stolen items in Niger
• NAPTIP rescues 8 stolen children from orphanage

The agency, in a report published on its website, said there was an increase of 10 confirmed cases in week 35 alone, up from just three cases the previous week.

The new cases were detected in Edo, Ondo, Bauchi, and Taraba states, it said.

The agency said overall, Nigeria has recorded 7,375 suspected cases and 871 confirmed infections in 2025. The case fatality rate (CFR) stands at 11.7 percent, a notable rise from 8.9 percent during the same period in 2024.

“Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba, and Ebonyi states remain the primary hotspots, accounting for 91 percent of all confirmed cases. The distribution among these states is as follows: Ondo (33%), Bauchi (23%), Edo (18%), Taraba (14%), and Ebonyi (3%),” it said.

The NCDC said most affected individuals are aged between 21 and 30 years, with a nearly balanced gender distribution—male-to-female ratio of 1:0.8. Although the total number of cases is lower compared to last year at this time, the agency warned that the risk of further spread remains high.

It said contributing factors to the persistent threat include delayed health-seeking behaviour, high treatment costs, and poor sanitation in high-burden communities.

While no new healthcare worker infections were reported in week 35, a total of 23 health workers have been affected since the start of the year.

To combat the outbreak, the NCDC said it had deployed 10 rapid response teams to the affected states, intensified surveillance efforts, and distributed essential medical supplies such as ribavirin, personal protective equipment (PPE), and sanitizers.

The agency also announced plans to implement a five-year strategic plan (2025–2029) aimed at controlling and preventing Lassa fever.

The NCDC urged Nigerians, particularly those in hotspot areas, to prioritize hygiene, control rodent populations, and seek early medical intervention to reduce transmission and fatalities associated with the disease.