95 die in recent outbreak of LASSA fever.

NCDC gives a breakdown across affected States

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention on Wednesday, March 5, confirmed 506 Lassa fever cases out of the 2,492 suspected cases of the disease, and 95 deaths as of February 23, 2025.

The Centre’s report on LASSA fever for week eight also indicated that the disease has spread to 12 states and 70 local government areas with a Case Fatality Ratio of 18.8 per cent.

The confirmed cases were reported in Bauchi (122), Benue (five), Cross-River (one), Delta (one), Ebonyi (15), Edo (88), Gombe (11), Kogi (14), Nasarawa (two), Ondo (160), Plateau (seven), and Taraba (80).

Lassa fever, a disease which spreads during the dry season in Nigeria, is an animal-borne, acute viral illness spread by the common African rat also known as the mastomys rat species.

The report partly read that in week eight, the number of new confirmed cases increased from 38 in epi week (or epidemiological week) seven, of 2025 to 54.

These were reported in Bauchi, Benue, Ebonyi, Edo, Kogi State, Ondo, Plateau, and Taraba States.

The report further stated that Cumulatively in week 8, 2025, 95 deaths have been reported with a case fatality rate (CFR) of 18.8 per cent which is the same CFR for the same period in 2024 (18.8 per cent).

According to the report, in total for 2025, 12 States have recorded at least one confirmed case across 70 Local Government Areas.

73 per cent of all confirmed Lassa fever cases were reported from these three states (Bauchi, Edo and Ondo) while 27 per cent were reported from the other nine states with confirmed Lassa fever cases.

It noted that of the 73 per cent confirmed cases, Bauchi reported 24 per, Edo 17 per cent, and Ondo reported 32 per cent.

The report also stated that the predominant age group affected is between 21 and 30 years (Range: 1 to 94 years, Median Age: 30 years), and the male-to-female ratio for confirmed cases is 1:0.8.

It said the number of suspected cases decreased compared to that reported for the same period in 2024.

The report added, “One new healthcare worker was affected in the reporting week eight.

“National Lassa fever multi-partner, multi-sectoral Incident Management System have been activated to coordinate the response activities at all levels.”

Lassa fever is a significant public health concern in Nigeria.

Nigeria has been experiencing a recurring outbreak of Lassa fetever, and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has been providing regular updates on the outbreak, including the number of confirmed cases, deaths, and affected states.

PREVENTION AND CONTROL

To prevent the spread of Lassa fever, the NCDC recommends:

–avoiding contact with rodents and contaminated materials

–keeping homes clean and rodent-free

–storing food in rodent-proof containers

–avoiding eating foods that may be contaminated with rodent urine or faeces.

According to NCDC, early detection and treatment are critical in managing Lassa fever.

Once the fever is suspected, NCDC recommends that affected person or pesons seek medical attention.

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