The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday said the Lassa fever death toll in Nigeria has risen to 177.
The latest epidemiological report released by the NCDC stated that as of epidemiological Week 44, 2025, the Case Fatality Rate now stands at 18.3 per cent, up from 16.5 per cent recorded during the same period in 2024.
According to the World Health Organisation, Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness caused by the Lassa virus, a member of the arenavirus family of viruses.
WHO said humans usually become infected with the Lassa virus through exposure to food or household items contaminated with urine or faeces of infected Mastomys rats. The disease is endemic in the rodent population in parts of West Africa.
The UN body noted that Lassa fever is known to be endemic in Benin, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Sierra Leone, Togo and Nigeria, but probably exists in other West African countries as well.
As of Week 44, ending November 2nd, Nigeria has reported a total of 966 confirmed cases.
In total for 2025, 21 states have recorded at least one confirmed case across 102 Local Government Areas.
It said, “In week 44, the number of new confirmed cases increased from 11 in epi week 43 to 12. These were reported in Ondo, Edo and Benue States.
“Cumulatively, as at week 44, 2025, 177 deaths have been reported with a Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 18.3 per cent, which is higher than the CFR for the same period in 2024 (16.5 per cent).
“In total for 2025, 21 States have recorded at least one confirmed case across 102 Local Government Areas.”
According to NCDC, 87 per cent of all confirmed Lassa fever cases were reported from four states (Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, and Taraba), while 13 per cent were reported from 17 states with confirmed Lassa fever cases.
It noted that of the 87 per cent confirmed cases, Ondo reported 36 per cent, Bauchi 21 per cent, Edo 17 per cent, and Taraba 13 per cent.
“The predominant age group affected is 21-30 years (Range: 1 to 96 years, Median Age: 30 years). The male-to-female ratio for confirmed cases is 1:0.8.
“The number of suspected and confirmed cases decreased compared to that reported for the same period in 2024.
“No new healthcare worker was affected in the reporting week 44.
“The National Lassa fever multi-partner, multi-sectoral Technical Working Group continues supporting coordination of response activities at all levels”, it added.
