At least 138 people have died from Lassa fever between January and May 4, 2025, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention.
In a report shared on its website on Wednesday, the NCDC said it recorded 717 confirmed cases out of 4,881 suspected cases in 18 states and 93 local government areas across the country.
Lassa fever is a viral disease spread mainly by contact with food or household items contaminated by the urine or faeces of infected rats. It can also be spread from person to person, especially in hospitals without proper infection control.
The agency said the disease has so far killed 138 people in the country, with a case fatality rate (CFR) of 19.3 per cent. This is higher than the CFR of 18 per cent recorded during the same period in 2024.
The affected states with deaths include:
Taraba (34)
Ondo (27)
Edo (19)
Bauchi (15)
Ebonyi (11)
Gombe (seven)
Kogi (four)
Plateau (five)
Benue (five)
Nasarawa (four)
Delta (two)
Kaduna (two)
Enugu (one)
Cross River (one)
Ogun (one)
The NCDC report said, “In week 18, the number of new confirmed cases decreased from 11 in epi week 17 to 10. These were reported in Ondo, Edo, Bauchi and Benue States.”
It noted that three states — Ondo, Bauchi and Taraba — accounted for 71 per cent of all confirmed cases. Ondo alone recorded 30 per cent, Bauchi 25 per cent, and Taraba 16 per cent.
The NCDC also gave details about those affected. It said most patients were between 21 and 30 years old, with the youngest being just one year old and the oldest, 96. The average age of patients was 30 years. More males were infected than females, with a male-to-female ratio of 1 to 0.8.
The agency added that no new health worker was affected in the reporting week.
It also said that the number of confirmed and suspected cases had reduced compared to the same period last year.
To manage the outbreak, the NCDC said it had activated its national multi-partner and multi-sectoral Incident Management System to coordinate response activities at all levels.
The NCDC continues to advise Nigerians to keep their environment clean, store food properly, and avoid contact with rodents. People showing symptoms such as fever, vomiting, weakness, or bleeding should seek medical help quickly.
