The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported a rise in confirmed Lassa fever cases in its latest situation report for Epidemiological Week 40.
According to the report, 13 new confirmed cases were recorded during the week, a significant increase from four in the previous week.
All new infections were reported from Ondo State, one of the country’s persistent Lassa fever hotspots.
Cumulatively, Nigeria has recorded 924 confirmed cases of lassa fever and 172 deaths across 21 states and 106 local government areas since the start of 2025, translating to a case fatality rate (CFR) of 18.6 per cent.
This figure is higher than the 17 per cent CFR reported during the same period in 2024.
The NCDC noted that 90 per cent of all confirmed cases were concentrated in five states: Ondo (35 per cent), Bauchi (22 per cent), Edo (17 per cent), Taraba (13 per cent), and Ebonyi (three per cent). The remaining 10 percent of cases were spread across 16 other states.
The most affected age group is 21 to 30 years, with a median age of 30.
Men accounted for a slightly higher proportion of confirmed infections, with a male-to-female ratio of 1 to 0.8. response.
In response to the ongoing outbreak, the NCDC said it had deployed 10 National Rapid Response Teams to affected states, working under a One Health approach that integrates human, animal, and environmental health surveillance.
The agency also highlighted several ongoing initiatives aimed at strengthening preparedness and response.
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