As of April 16, 2025, Lassa fever has claimed 127 lives across 18 states in Nigeria, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC). The outbreak has resulted in 674 confirmed cases from 4,025 suspected cases reported between January and early April, with a case fatality rate (CFR) of 18.8%, slightly higher than the 18.5% recorded during the same period in 2024 .
The majority of confirmed cases—71%—have been reported from three states: Ondo (30%), Bauchi (25%), and Edo (16%). The remaining 28% of cases are distributed across 15 other states .
The NCDC has identified several challenges in managing the outbreak, including late presentation of cases, poor health-seeking behavior, high treatment costs, and limited awareness in high-burden communities. In response, the agency has activated a multi-partner, multi-sectoral Incident Management System to coordinate national response efforts. Interventions include deploying Rapid Response Teams to affected states, conducting community-based active case searches, and distributing personal protective equipment and hygiene kits to treatment centers .
Lassa fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic illness transmitted to humans through contact with food or household items contaminated by infected rodents, particularly Mastomys rats. Person-to-person transmission can also occur, especially in healthcare settings without adequate infection prevention and control measures. Symptoms include fever, sore throat, headache, vomiting, muscle pain, and, in severe cases, bleeding from body openings .
The NCDC urges Nigerians, especially those in high-risk areas, to take preventive measures seriously and to report early symptoms to the nearest health facility. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment are crucial for improving survival rates.
