NCDC Confirms 8 New Lassa Fever Cases In 4 States

Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed eight new cases of Lassa fever in four states, bringing the number of confirmed cases to 747 and suspected cases across the country to 5,394.

NCDC, in its situation report for epidemiological week 22, disclosed that the new confirmed cases were recorded in Ondo, Bauchi, Edo and Nasarawa states. This marks a slight increase from the six cases reported in the previous week.

So far, in 2025, a total of 142 deaths have been reported from confirmed cases, with a Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 19.0 percent. This is slightly higher than the CFR of 18.1 percent recorded during the same period in 2024.

NCDC said Lassa fever had been confirmed in 18 states, affecting 96 local government areas. However, the majority of confirmed cases, 91 percent, have come from just five states: Ondo (31 percent), Bauchi (25 percent), Edo (16 percent), Taraba (16 percent), and Ebonyi (3 percent). The remaining nine percent was reported from 13 other states.

According to the report, the most affected age group is 21 to 30 years, with the median age of confirmed cases at 30 years. The male-to-female ratio is 1 to 0.8.

NCDC also reported that no new healthcare worker infections were recorded in week 22.

In response to the outbreak, NCDC said the national Lassa fever multi-partner, Multi-Sectoral Incident Management System (IMS) remained active to coordinate response efforts at all levels.

The centre urged Nigerians to maintain proper hygiene, avoid contact with rodents and seek medical attention early if symptoms such as fever, headache or general weakness develop.