Lassa fever update: 38 new cases, 9 deaths recorded

Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported 38 new confirmed cases of Lassa fever and nine fatalities within a single week, according to its week seven epidemiological report published on the official website.

This marks a decline from the 54 cases recorded in week 6; however, the case fatality rate (CFR) has risen to 19.7 percent, up from 17.8 percent in the corresponding period last year. The new cases have been detected in Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Edo, Plateau, Cross River, and Kogi states.

Since the beginning of the year, at least one confirmed case has been reported in 12 states, impacting 66 local government areas. The disease remains largely concentrated in three states—Ondo, Edo, and Bauchi—which together account for 73 percent of all confirmed cases, with Ondo contributing 34 percent, Edo 21 percent, and Bauchi 18 percent.

The report also highlights that young adults aged between 21 and 30 are the most affected demographic, although cases span from as young as one year old to 94 years. The male-to-female ratio among confirmed cases is approximately 1:0.8. Notably, no new infections have been recorded among healthcare workers, and the number of suspected cases has also decreased compared to the same period in 2024.

In response to the ongoing outbreak, the National Lassa Fever Multi-Partner, Multi-Sectoral Incident Management System (IMS) remains actively engaged in coordinating efforts to curb the spread of the virus across all levels. Lassa fever, a viral hemorrhagic illness, is primarily transmitted through contact with rodent excreta or the bodily fluids of infected individuals.

The NCDC has urged Nigerians to maintain proper hygiene practices and avoid exposure to rodents in order to mitigate the risk of transmission.