Nigeria has recorded 1,119 confirmed cases of Lassa fever with 206 deaths, representing a Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 18.4 per cent, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has disclosed.
The figures were contained in the Lassa Fever Situation Report for Epidemiological Week 51, covering December 15 to 21, 2025, released by the agency.
According to the report, confirmed cases declined from 28 in Epidemiological Week 50 to 21 in Week 52, with new infections reported in Edo, Bauchi, Kogi, Ebonyi, Plateau, Ondo and Taraba states.
The NCDC said a total of 21 states across 105 local government areas have recorded at least one confirmed case, noting that about 88 per cent of all infections were concentrated in Ondo, Bauchi, Taraba and Edo states.
The agency identified persons aged between 21 and 30 years as the most affected group, while adding that no new infection among healthcare workers was recorded during the period under review.
Although both suspected and confirmed cases were lower compared to the same period in 2024, the NCDC expressed concern over the rising fatality rate, attributing it largely to late presentation at health facilities and poor health-seeking behaviour.
The agency also listed high treatment costs, poor environmental sanitation and low awareness in high-burden communities as major challenges contributing to deaths from the disease.
It urged state governments to intensify year-round community sensitisation on Lassa fever prevention, while advising healthcare workers to maintain a high index of suspicion, ensure early diagnosis and promptly refer suspected cases for treatment.
The NCDC reaffirmed its commitment, in collaboration with partners, to strengthening state capacity to prevent, detect and effectively respond to Lassa fever outbreaks across the country.
