The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has called on governments of the 36 states and the FCT to intensify their year-round community campaign to curb the spread of Lassa fever.
In its latest situation report for epidemiological week 31, the agency confirmed nine new cases in Ondo, Edo and Taraba, up from three the previous week, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in 2025 to 836 across 21 states and 105 local government areas. The case fatality rate stands at 18.7 per cent, higher than the 17.3 per cent recorded in the same period last year, with 156 deaths so far.
According to the NCDC, 90 per cent of confirmed cases were reported in five states: Ondo (33%), Bauchi (23%), Edo (17%), Taraba (14%), and Ebonyi (3%). The most affected age group is 21–30 years, with more men than women infected. No new healthcare worker infections were recorded in the latest week. The agency identified key challenges, including late presentation of cases, poor health-seeking behaviour due to high treatment costs, and poor environmental sanitation in high-burden communities.
To address these issues, the centre said it has deployed rapid response teams, launched training and fellowship programmes, integrated Lassa fever awareness into broader risk communication efforts, and distributed essential supplies such as ribavirin, personal protective equipment, and thermometers to affected states.
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