The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has made public its latest situation report revealing that 811 had been infected and 152 deaths recorded across the states in the country this year alone.
The report confirmed that 11 cases were reported in Ondo, Edo and Benue states.
According to the NCDC, with respect to Lassa fever, “811 confirmed cases and 152 deaths recorded cumulatively in 2025. Case Fatality Rate (CFR) is 18.7%, higher than the 17.3% reported in the same period in 2024. 89% of confirmed cases are from five states: Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba, and Ebonyi”.
The agency further disclosed that in total for 2025, the virus had spread to 21 states across 105 Local Government Areas.
The report stated further that the NCDC implemented the Lassa Fever Environmental response campaign in high-burden states. It, however, lamented that late presentation of cases was leading to an increase in fatality rate.
It added that poor health-seeking behaviour due to the high cost of treatment and clinical management of Lassa fever, poor environmental sanitation conditions observed in high-burden communities and poor awareness were observed in high-burden communities.
According to the World Health Organisation, Lassa fever is an acute viral illness that is caused by the Lassa virus.
Meanwhile, the global health body said the Lassa virus is primarily transmitted to humans via contact with food or household items contaminated with rodent urine or faeces, saying person-to-person transmission can also occur, particularly in health care settings lacking adequate infection prevention and control measures.
