The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported 1,119 confirmed cases of Lassa fever in 2025, with young adults identified as the most affected age group nationwide.
The data comes from the NCDC’s Lassa Fever Situation Report for Epidemiological Week 51, covering December 15–21, 2025, which provides details on cases, deaths, and affected states.
The report shows that people aged 21 to 30 accounted for the highest number of infections, with a median patient age of 30 years. Males were slightly more affected than females, reflecting differences in exposure or health-seeking behaviour in high-risk communities.
A total of 206 deaths were recorded among confirmed cases, resulting in a case fatality rate of 18.4%, up from 16.4% during the same period in 2024. During Week 51 alone, 21 new cases and five deaths were reported, showing a slight decline from the previous week’s 28 cases.
Cases were reported in Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Edo, Kogi, Ebonyi, and Plateau states, with 21 states across 105 Local Government Areas recording at least one case in 2025. Four states—Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, and Taraba—accounted for 88% of all cases, with Ondo State alone contributing 35% of the nationwide total.
The NCDC highlighted challenges such as late presentation at treatment centres, poor health-seeking behaviour due to high treatment costs, and poor environmental sanitation in heavily affected communities. It urged healthcare workers to maintain vigilance, ensure early diagnosis and treatment, and called on state authorities to strengthen risk communication and community engagement.
The centre reaffirmed its commitment to coordinating a multi-sectoral national response, including surveillance, case management, laboratory support, and infection prevention and control in affected and at-risk areas.
Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness primarily spread through contact with food or household items contaminated by the urine or faeces of infected rodents, although human-to-human transmission can also occur.