The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported that Lassa fever has claimed 127 lives in the country between January and April 2025.
This was disclosed in the agency’s latest situation report released on Tuesday, revealing that the deaths were recorded across 18 states, highlighting the growing public health concern posed by the virus.
According to the report, the case fatality rate (CFR) currently stands at 18.8 percent—slightly higher than the 18.5 percent reported during the same period in 2024.
“So far in 2025, 18 states have recorded at least one confirmed case across 93 Local Government Areas,” the report stated.
The top three most affected states—Ondo, Bauchi, and Edo—accounted for a combined 71 percent of all confirmed cases.
Specifically, Ondo recorded 30 percent, Bauchi 25 percent, and Edo 16 percent, while the remaining 28 percent were distributed across 15 other states.
The NCDC also observed a slight increase in newly confirmed cases from 14 in epidemiological week 13 to 15 in week 14.
These new infections were reported in Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba, Ebonyi, and Gombe states. Encouragingly, the agency confirmed that no new healthcare worker was infected during the most recent reporting week.
Data from the report further revealed that young adults between the ages of 21 and 30 are the most affected demographic, underscoring the vulnerability of this age group in the ongoing outbreak.
The NCDC urged the public to remain vigilant, observe proper hygiene, and report any symptoms early, while health authorities continue to intensify surveillance and response activities nationwide.