Lassa Fever: Centre Calls For Preventive Measures As Fatality Rate Rises

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has urged Nigerians to adopt proactive preventive measures as the country recorded 1,119 confirmed Lassa fever cases and 206 deaths in 2025.

In it’s situation report for week 51 (December 15–21), the centre highlighted a case fatality rate (CFR) of 18.4 per cent, up from 16.4 per cent in the same period last year, despite a slight decline in weekly cases, from 28 in week 50 to 21 in week 51.

The new infections were reported in Edo, Bauchi, Kogi, Ebonyi, Plateau, Ondo, and Taraba States, while Ondo, Bauchi, Taraba, and Edo alone account for 88 per cent of all confirmed cases.

NCDC stressed the need for early reporting of symptoms, improved hygiene, proper food storage, and rodent control to curb transmission. Young adults aged 21–30 years remain the most affected, though no new healthcare worker infections were recorded in the latest week.

Cumulatively, 21 states across 105 local government areas have recorded at least one confirmed case in 2025. The number of suspected and confirmed cases this year is lower than in 2024, signaling a possible gradual decline in transmission.

The agency reaffirmed its commitment to supporting states with surveillance, diagnostics, case management, and public awareness campaigns, urging Nigerians to remain vigilant and adhere strictly to preventive measures, especially in high-burden areas.