The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported that Lassa fever has claimed no fewer than 152 lives from 811 confirmed cases across 21 states and 105 local government areas (LGAs) of the federation in 2025.
The above figures were recorded from a total of 6,520 suspected cases as of epidemiological Week 28.
According to NCDC, the current Case Fatality Rate (CFR) stands at 18.7 per cent, higher than the 17.3 per cent recorded during the same period in 2024.
The NCDC also noted that the number of new confirmed cases in week 28 remained the same as in week 27, with fresh infections reported in Ondo, Edo, and Benue states.
A significant majority of 89 per cent of confirmed Lassa fever cases were recorded in five states – Ondo (32 per cent), Bauchi (23 per cent), Edo (17 per cent), Taraba (14 per cent), and Ebonyi (three per cent). The remaining 11 per cent of confirmed cases were reported from 16 other states.
The most affected age group is between 21 and 30 years, with a median age of 30 years.
“In week 28, the number of new confirmed cases is the same as epi week 27 of 2025. These were reported in Ondo, Edo, and Benue states.
“Cumulatively, as at week 28, 2025, 152 deaths have been reported with a Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 18.7 per cent, which is higher than the CFR for the same period in 2024 (17.3 per cent). In total for 2025, 21 states have recorded at least one confirmed case across 105 Local Government Areas.
“Eighty-nine per cent (89 per cent) of all confirmed Lassa fever cases were reported from five states (Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba, and Ebonyi), while 11 per cent were reported from 16 states with confirmed Lassa fever cases. Of the 89 per cent confirmed cases, Ondo reported 32 per cent, Bauchi 23 per cent, Edo 17 per cent, Taraba 14 per cent, and Ebonyi three per cent,” the report stated.
It added that there is no new healthcare worker affected in the reporting week 28, and the national Lassa fever multi-partner, multi-sectoral Technical Working Group (TWG) is coordinating the response activities at all levels.