The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has announced that it is closely monitoring 1,277 individuals who may have been exposed to the deadly Lassa fever virus.
This move follows a concerning spike in cases between January and March 30, 2025, with 659 confirmed cases and 122 deaths recorded out of a total of 3,779 suspected infections.
According to a recent NCDC report, 18 states across Nigeria have reported at least one confirmed case of the virus, with Ondo, Bauchi, and Edo states emerging as the worst hit. The data reveals that these three states account for 71% of all confirmed cases—Ondo alone contributing 30%, Bauchi 25%, and Edo 16%.
As of the end of March, 93 local government areas have reported infections. The majority of the patients fall within the 21–30 age group, with a male-to-female infection ratio of 1:0.8.
Despite the rise in cases compared to the same period last year, the case fatality rate (CFR) slightly dropped to 18.5%, down from 18.7% in 2024.
The NCDC also confirmed that 20 healthcare workers across eight states have been infected this year. However, there were no new healthcare worker infections in the 13th week of the year.
So far, 1,448 people have completed follow-up monitoring, and the National Lassa Fever Incident Management System has been activated to coordinate national response efforts.
Lassa fever, a severe viral hemorrhagic illness, is caused by the Lassa virus, which is commonly transmitted through contact with food or household items contaminated by the urine or feces of infected multimammate rats—also known as African rats.
Health experts warn that Lassa fever is a year-round threat in Nigeria, with heightened transmission typically occurring from October to May.
Stay informed and protect yourself—follow NIGPOST for real-time updates on health emergencies across Nigeria.
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