Abuja — The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported a total of 747 confirmed Lassa fever cases and 142 deaths across 18 states in Nigeria, according to its epidemiological week 22, 2025 report.
In the update released on Thursday, the NCDC revealed that the Case Fatality Rate (CFR) has reached 19.0 percent, a slight increase compared to the corresponding period in 2024.
The health agency noted a small rise in new infections, with the number of confirmed cases growing from 6 in week 21 to 8 in week 22. New cases were recorded in Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, and Nasarawa states.
According to the report, 91% of all confirmed cases were from five states: Ondo (31%), Bauchi (25%), Edo (16%), Taraba (16%), and Ebonyi (3%).
The most affected age bracket is 21 to 30 years, with a median age of 30, and the gender distribution shows a male-to-female ratio of 1:0.8.
The NCDC acknowledged a decline in both suspected and confirmed cases when compared to the same period in 2024, but said it continues to stay alert and is actively coordinating efforts via its multi-partner, multi-sectoral Incident Management System (IMS).
The report emphasized the necessity of ongoing support to impacted states and communities and called for increased public education and awareness on how to prevent and manage Lassa fever outbreaks.
In its advisory, the agency warned Nigerians to remain alert and observe preventive measures, particularly those living in areas with high transmission rates.
In its continued efforts to curb the outbreak, the Centre detailed a series of intervention activities.
The Centre said:
“We have conducted a Lassa fever risk dynamic assessment and integrated Lassa fever key messages into other Viral Haemorrhagic Fevers (VHF) risk communication strategies. We have also launched the NCDC’s IPC e-learning platform, powered by DRASA and funded by the Global Fund.”
The NCDC also confirmed the deployment of 10 National Rapid Response Teams to affected states as part of a One Health approach to managing the situation. It further noted the distribution of IPC (Infection Prevention and Control) guidelines to healthcare facilities, done with assistance from the Robert Koch Institute.
“We have supported state IPC structures, the Orange Network, and treatment centres to enforce standard precautions and reduce hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) in high-burden LGAs and states,” the report adds.
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