ABUJA, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)-The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed 54 cases of Lassa fever from 196 suspected cases recorded between December 30, 2024, and January 5, 2025.
During this period, 10 fatalities were reported, representing a Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 18.5%.
According to the Lassa fever situation report released by the NCDC on Saturday, the confirmed cases were recorded across six states and 20 local government areas nationwide.
The report read partly, “In week 1, the number of new confirmed cases decreased from 70 in epi week 52, of 2024 to 54. These were reported in Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba, Ebonyi, and Kogi States.
“Cumulatively in week 1, 2025, 10 deaths have been reported with a CFR of 18.5 per cent which is higher than the CFR for the same period in 2024 (11.3 per cent).
“In total for 2025, six States have recorded at least one confirmed case across 20 LGAs.”
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported that 78% of all confirmed Lassa fever cases were recorded in Ondo, Edo, and Bauchi states, while the remaining 22% were spread across three other states with confirmed cases.
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Breaking down the figures, the NCDC noted that Ondo accounted for 35% of confirmed cases, Edo for 28%, and Bauchi for 15%.
The most affected age group is 21-30 years (range: 3 to 70 years, median age: 31.5 years), with a male-to-female ratio of 1:0.6.
The agency also observed an increase in suspected cases compared to the same period in 2024.
However, no new healthcare workers were infected during the first week of reporting.
To manage the outbreak, the National Lassa Fever Multi-Partner, Multi-Sectoral Incident Management System has been activated to coordinate response efforts nationwide.
In December 2024, NCDC Director General Dr. Jide Idris announced the activation of the Emergency Operations Centre for Lassa fever, noting that the risk level had been assessed as high.
Idris reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to addressing the ongoing outbreak during the peak season.
In 2024, Nigeria recorded 9,685 suspected cases of Lassa fever, with 1,187 confirmed cases and 191 deaths across 28 states and 138 local government areas.
The World Health Organization defines Lassa fever as an acute viral hemorrhagic illness caused by the Lassa virus, part of the arenavirus family.
Humans typically contract the virus through contact with food or household items contaminated by the urine or feces of infected Mastomys rats.
The disease is endemic in rodent populations in certain parts of West Africa.