Lassa fever cases decline in Nigeria, fatality rate remains high at 18.7% – NCDC

However, despite the drop in infections, the case fatality rate remains alarmingly high at 18.7%, with 100 deaths recorded so far in 2025.

The agency disclosed this in its latest Epidemiological Week 9 report, published on its official website on Sunday.

The report confirmed 29 new Lassa fever cases across nine states, marking a decrease from 54 cases recorded in the previous week.

The affected states are Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba, Ebonyi, Plateau, Cross River, Nasarawa, and Enugu.

The NCDC reported that 72%  of all confirmed cases were recorded in just three states—Ondo (31%), Bauchi (24%), and Edo (17%)—highlighting their continued burden in the outbreak.

It expressed concerns over the effectiveness of ongoing containment efforts, noting that these states remained the most affected.

Additionally, the agency revealed that a new healthcare worker was infected in Week 9, bringing the total number of affected health workers in 2025 to 17.

“This underscores the urgent need for better protective measures, adequate supply of personal protective equipment (PPEs), and enhanced infection prevention protocols in hospitals,” it stated.

The NCDC identified several challenges affecting the outbreak response, including the late presentation of cases, which has contributed to high fatality rates.

– In response, the agency stated that the National Rapid Response Team (NRRT) had been deployed to Gombe, Nasarawa, and Benue states to provide technical support.

The NCDC reported that it had intensified risk communication efforts and conducted training for healthcare workers in Bauchi, Ebonyi, and Benue states.

It also stated that it was collaborating with international partners, including WHO, MSF Geneva, and Georgetown Global Health Nigeria, to improve case management and enhance surveillance.

Comparative data from the agency showed that while the number of confirmed cases in 2025 (535 cases as of Week 9) is lower than in 2024 (682 cases during the same period), the fatality rate remains nearly unchanged at 18.7% compared to 18.8%.

As Nigeria continues to battle this recurring public health challenge, experts stressed the importance of long-term investments in disease surveillance, public health education, and improved access to treatment to prevent future outbreaks.

Lassa fever is a viral hemorrhagic disease caused by the Lassa virus, primarily transmitted through contact with food or household items contaminated by the urine, feces, or saliva of infected rodents.

Lassa fever is a viral hemorrhagic disease caused by the Lassa virus, primarily transmitted through contact with food or household items contaminated by the urine, feces, or saliva of infected rodents.

However, despite these measures, the disease remains a major public health challenge, with high mortality rates and the potential for international spread, as highlighted in the recent report.