Taraba leads as Lassa fever kills 138 in 4 months

Lassa fever has claimed 138 lives between January and May this year, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has said. The NCDC in its latest situation report issued on Wednesday said three states Ondo, Bauchi and Taraba recorded the highest number of deaths. According to the report, Ondo recorded 27 deaths, Bauchi […]

Lassa fever has claimed 138 lives between January and May this year, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has said.

The NCDC in its latest situation report issued on Wednesday said three states Ondo, Bauchi and Taraba recorded the highest number of deaths.

According to the report, Ondo recorded 27 deaths, Bauchi recorded 15 while Taraba recorded 34 deaths.

The NCDC said a total of 4, 881 suspected cases, and 717 confirmed cases were recorded across 18 states and 93 LGAs during the period.

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It said  71% of all confirmed Lassa fever cases were also reported from the  three states, adding that Of the 71% confirmed cases, Ondo reported 30% ( 215) Bauchi 25%,( 180)  and Taraba 16%.( 116) cases.

It said, “ Cumulatively in week 18, 2025, 138 deaths have been reported with a Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 19.2%, which is higher than the CFR for the same period in 2024 (18.0%).

“In total for 2025, 18 States have recorded at least one confirmed case across 93 local government areas” NCDC said that the predominant age group affected is 21-30 years.

The agency highlighted that the number of suspected and confirmed cases decreased compared to that reported for the same period in 2024.

It also said in week 18, the number of new confirmed cases decreased from 11 in week 17, of 2025 to 10, adding that no new healthcare worker was affected in the reporting week 18.

The NCDC report also said the National Lassa fever multi-partner, multi-sectoral Incident Management System (IMS) has been activated to coordinate the response activities at all levels.

Lassa fever is a haemorrhagic viral illness caused by contact with food or household items contaminated with rodent urine or faeces.

The virus is carried in multimammate rats (the common soft-furred African rat, which female has two rows of breasts). The rat normally lives in the bush and visits nearby homes for food; which they contaminate. Other rodents can also act as carriers of the virus.

Lassa fever was first detected in Nigeria in 1969, and it comes with bleeding, and death in severe cases. It has an incubation period of six to 21 days.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Lassa fever is endemic in Nigeria and the annual peak of cases is typically observed during the dry season (December–April).

The symptoms are fever, weakness, muscle and chest pains, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, cough and abdominal pain. In most severe cases, individuals may bleed from the mouth, nose, eyes or other parts of the body.

The Director-General of the NCDC, Dr Jide Idris, said the virus spreads through: “Direct contact with urine, faeces, saliva, or blood of infected rats.

“Contact with objects, household items, and surfaces contaminated with the urine, faeces, saliva, or blood of infected rats.

“It is also spread through consuming food or water contaminated with the urine, faeces, saliva, or blood of infected rats. Person-to-person transmission can also occur through direct contact with blood, urine, faeces, vomitus, and other body fluids of an infected person.”

Medical experts advise individuals, health workers, families and communities to improve on their personal hygiene and also ensure that their houses are free from rats, and properly cover all foods and drinks

The Director General of the NCDC also added that preventing Lassa fever requires collective action. Whilst the NCDC and state governments are leading the response, every Nigerian has a role to play in reducing the spread of the virus, he said.

He stressed the importance of healthcare workers consistently applying infection prevention and control (IPC) measures and maintaining a high index of suspicion for Lassa fever.

He also enjoined Nigerians to be on top of their environmental hygiene practices and skills that prevent rats from accessing homes, food, and utensils. These remain the most effective means of prevention.