A situation report published by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has shown that 39 persons have lost their lives to Lassa fever in the first three weeks of 2025.
Lassa fever is caused by infected rodents. Edo and Taraba states lead the data with nine deaths each. This is followed by Ondo State with eight deaths. Bauchi recorded four deaths, while Ebonyi recorded three deaths.
Gombe also recorded three deaths; Kogi, one death; Plateau, one death; Nasarawa, one death.
Edo State recorded 266 suspected cases within the first three weeks of 2025. Ondo State recorded 250 suspected cases, while Bauchi State recorded 154 cases.
Taraba recorded 64 suspected cases, Ebonyi recorded 30 suspected cases, Gombe recorded 10 suspected cases, Nasarawa recorded 22 suspected cases, and Kogi recorded 9 suspected cases.
The data released by the NCDC shows that cases managed at treatment centres are 175, cumulative contact listed are 162 cases, contacts under follow-up are 109 cases, while contacts with completed follow up are 34 cases.
The predominant number of cases affected age groups between 21 and 30 years.
According to the NCDC, any individual presenting with one or more of the following: malaise, fever, headache, sore throat, cough, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, myalgia, chest pain, hearing loss and either history of contact with excreta or urine of rodents possibly has Lassa fever.
