The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has called on state governments to strengthen continuous community sensitisation campaigns to curb the spread of Lassa fever across the country.
In its latest situation report for Epidemiological Week 31, the agency confirmed nine additional cases in Ondo, Edo, and Taraba States—an increase from the three recorded the previous week. This brings the total number of confirmed infections in 2025 to 836, spread across 21 states and 105 local government areas.
According to the report, the current case fatality rate stands at 18.7 per cent—higher than the 17.3 per cent recorded during the same period last year—with 156 deaths documented so far in 2025.
The NCDC noted that the majority of confirmed cases were concentrated in just five states: Ondo (33 per cent), Bauchi (23 per cent), Edo (17 per cent), Taraba (14 per cent), and Ebonyi (3 per cent). People between the ages of 21 and 30 were the most affected, with men accounting for more infections than women.
While no new healthcare worker infections were reported during the week, the agency highlighted persistent challenges such as late presentation of patients, low health-seeking behaviour driven by high treatment costs, and poor environmental hygiene in heavily affected communities.
To contain the outbreak, the NCDC said it has deployed rapid response teams, initiated training and fellowship programmes, and incorporated Lassa fever awareness into broader public health risk communication efforts. It has also distributed vital supplies—including ribavirin, personal protective equipment, and thermometers—to states battling the disease.
The centre urged healthcare professionals to maintain a high index of suspicion, ensure prompt referrals, and advised the public to improve sanitation and avoid contact with rodents, the primary carriers of the virus.
Lassa fever, a viral haemorrhagic illness, is mainly transmitted through exposure to food or household items contaminated by the urine or faeces of infected rats. It can also spread via direct contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person, contaminated objects, or medical instruments. Symptoms range from fever, sore throat, headache, vomiting, and muscle aches to, in severe cases, bleeding from various body openings.