Nigeria has recorded 11 new confirmed cases of Lassa fever and two deaths in epidemiological week 37 (September 8–14, 2025), according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).
Dr. Jide Idris, Director-General of the NCDC, said the latest figures bring the total number of confirmed cases this year to 895 with 166 deaths, representing a case fatality rate of 18.5 percent.
“Although we recorded a slight decline from 13 confirmed cases in week 36 to 11 in week 37, the fatality rate remains a concern and underscores the need for early detection, prompt treatment, and community vigilance,” Idris said.
The report revealed that the disease continues to affect multiple parts of the country, with Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba, and Ebonyi states accounting for 90 percent of all confirmed cases. A total of 21 states and 106 Local Government Areas (LGAs) have reported infections in 2025.
The NCDC noted that the majority of cases occurred among people aged 21–30 years, with a median age of 30, and a male-to-female ratio of 1:0.8. No new infections were reported among health care workers during the week under review.
To strengthen the response, Idris disclosed that the agency has deployed national rapid response teams to affected states, intensified training for clinicians, distributed personal protective equipment to treatment centers, and scaled up community awareness campaigns.
“We urge states to sustain year-round public sensitisation, improve environmental sanitation, and encourage people to present early when symptoms occur. Health workers should also maintain a high index of suspicion for Lassa fever, especially in endemic areas,” he stressed.
The NCDC further identified challenges including late presentation of cases, high cost of treatment, and poor awareness in rural communities. It also warned that without stronger state-level engagement, the fatality rate may remain above the threshold recorded in previous years.
Since January, Nigeria has logged 7,673 suspected cases of Lassa fever, and the agency is working with partners to support surveillance, clinical management, and ongoing research, including a new trial in Ondo State.
