The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) reported 54 confirmed cases of Lassa fever and 10 deaths in Nigeria out of 196 suspected cases. The NCDC reported cases between December 30, 2024 and January 5, 2025. The Lassa fever situation report obtained from the NCDC included reports from six states and twenty local government districts.
According to the study, the number of new confirmed cases in week 1 reduced from 70 in epi week 52 of 2024 to 54. These cases were reported in Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba, Ebonyi, and Kogi states.
In week 1, 2025, 10 deaths were reported, with a CFR of 18.5%, greater than the CFR for the same time in 2024 (11.3%). “In 2025, six States have recorded at least one confirmed case across 20 LGAs.”
According to the NCDC, 78% of all confirmed Lassa fever cases were reported from Ondo, Edo, and Bauchi, with 22% reported from three states with confirmed Lassa fever cases. The NCDC also stated that the number of suspected cases increased compared to the same period in 2024.
The agency also stated that no new healthcare workers were afflicted during the first reporting week, and that the National Lassa fever multi-partner, multi-sectoral Incident Management System had been launched to coordinate response actions at every level.
Last year, the NCDC launched the Emergency Operations Centre for Lassa fever, with a high risk rating. In 2024, the country reported 9,685 suspected cases of Lassa fever, 1,187 confirmed cases, and 191 deaths in 28 states and 138 Local Government Areas.
