The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported a total of 811 confirmed cases of Lassa fever and 152 associated deaths across the country in 2025. This was revealed in the Lassa Fever Situation Report for Week 28 (7th–13th July, 2025), published on Monday.
The report noted that 11 new confirmed cases were recorded during the week under review, with infections reported in Ondo, Edo, and Benue States. The cumulative Case Fatality Rate (CFR) for 2025 stands at 18.7%, higher than the 17.3% recorded in the same period in 2024.
According to the NCDC, five states — Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba, and Ebonyi — accounted for 89% of the confirmed cases. In total, 21 states have reported at least one confirmed case, spanning 105 Local Government Areas. Despite efforts to curb the spread, the agency observed that the number of confirmed cases in week 28 remained the same as in the previous week.
As part of its response, the NCDC has launched an environmental response campaign in high-burden states. However, the agency highlighted several challenges undermining its efforts. These include late presentation of cases, poor health-seeking behaviour driven by the high cost of treatment, unsanitary conditions in affected communities, and low public awareness.
The NCDC has urged Nigerians to be vigilant and report suspected cases, particularly individuals exhibiting symptoms such as malaise, fever, headache, sore throat, cough, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, muscle pain, chest pain, or hearing loss.
According to the World Health Organisation, Lassa fever is an acute viral illness caused by the Lassa virus. The disease is endemic in several West African countries, including Nigeria, Benin, Guinea, Ghana, Liberia, Mali, and Sierra Leone. The virus is primarily transmitted to humans through exposure to food or household items contaminated with rodent urine or faeces. Human-to-human transmission can also occur, especially in health care settings without proper infection control measures.
Source : https://www.channelstv.com/
