The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed 506 Lassa fever cases and 95 deaths out of 2,492 suspected cases as of February 23, 2025.
According to the NCDC’s week eight situation report, the disease has spread to 12 states and 70 local government areas, with a Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 18.8 per cent.
Ondo, Bauchi, and Edo states accounted for 73 per cent of confirmed cases, with 160, 122, and 88 cases respectively. Other affected states include Taraba, Ebonyi, Kogi, Gombe, Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa, Delta, and Cross River.
The NCDC said the number of confirmed cases increased from 38 in week seven to 54 in week eight, while one healthcare worker was affected.
Lassa fever, a viral illness transmitted by rodents, predominantly affects people aged 21 to 30, with a male-to-female ratio of 1:0.8.
The agency said the national Lassa fever Incident Management System remains active to coordinate response activities at all levels.
