Nigeria Records 17 New Lassa Fever Cases, Death Toll Hits 185

Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has said that the country has recorded 17 new confirmed cases of Lassa in four states.

NCDC disclosed this in its report for epidemiological week 47 (November 17–23, 2025) released on Tuesday. The report shows a slight decrease from the 19 cases reported the previous week.

The new infections were reported from Edo, Bauchi, Ondo, and Taraba states, which continue to account for the majority of the country’s Lassa fever burden.

The NCDC report shows that as of Week 47, the country has recorded:
1,012 confirmed cases, 185 deaths with Case Fatality Rate (CFR): 18.3 per cent.

This fatality rate is higher than the 16.4 per cent reported during the same period in 2024, signalling a worsening outcome for infected persons despite a slight decline in transmission.

The report indicates that 21 states and 102 local government areas have recorded at least one confirmed case in 2025.

However, the outbreak remains heavily concentrated in four states; Ondo, Bauchi, Taraba, and Edo, which account for 87 per cent of all confirmed cases nationwide.

The most affected age group remains young adults aged 21 to 30 years, aligning with previous patterns showing high exposure among active, working-age populations.

Reassuringly, the NCDC reported no new infections among healthcare workers in Week 47, a positive indicator of improved infection prevention and control practices in health facilities.

Despite the rising fatality rate, the total number of suspected and confirmed cases reported so far in 2025 is lower compared to the same period in 2024, suggesting a potential decrease in transmission intensity this year.

The agency reiterated its call for Nigerians to maintain high levels of hygiene, ensure proper food storage to prevent rodent contamination, and seek early medical attention for symptoms such as fever, vomiting, and bleeding.

It also urged health workers to continue adhering strictly to infection prevention protocols to protect themselves and curb further spread.