During the first 10 months of 2025, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) reports 995 confirmed Lassa fever cases and 176 deaths.
The Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 18.4% which is higher than the CFR for the same period in 2024 (16.6%).
In total for 2025, 21 States have recorded at least one confirmed case across 102 Local Government Areas.
Eighty-eight percent (88%) of all confirmed Lassa fever cases were reported from four states (Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, and Taraba) while 12% were reported from 17 states with confirmed Lassa fever cases. Of the 88% confirmed cases, Ondo reported 37%, Bauchi 21%, Edo 17% and Taraba 13%.
The number of suspected and confirmed cases decreased compared to that reported for the same period in 2024.
Lassa fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF) caused by the Lassa virus. The natural reservoir for the virus is the multimammate rat (also known as the African rat). Other rodents can also act as carriers of the virus.
How is Lassa Fever Transmitted? - Through:
• Direct contact with urine, faeces, saliva or blood of infected rodents.
• Ingesting food and drinks contaminated with urine, faeces, saliva or blood of infected rats.
• Contact with objects, household items or surfaces contaminated with urine, faeces, saliva or blood of infected rats.
• Person-to-person transmission can also occur through contact with blood, urine, faeces, vomitus and other body fluids of an infected person, particularly in hospital environment where infection prevention and control practices are not optimal.
How Does it Present?
Lassa fever initially presents like other common illnesses accompanied by a fever, such as malaria. Other symptoms include headache, general body weakness, cough, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle pains, chest pain, sore throat, and, in severe cases, bleeding from ears, eyes, nose, mouth, and other body openings. Early presentations to ensure diagnosis and treatment of the diseases can greatly increase the chances of patient survival. Early reporting of symptoms helps ensure timely diagnosis and treatment, thereby improving the chances of patient survival.
People Most At Risk For Lassa Fever Include:
• People of all age groups, who come in contact with the urine, faeces, saliva, or blood of infected rats.
• People living in rat-infested environments.
• People who consume potentially contaminated foodstuff, especially those left open overnight or dried outside in the open.
• People who handle or process rodents for consumption.
• People who do not perform hand hygiene at appropriate times.
• Caretakers of infected persons with poor infection prevention and control measures.
• Healthcare workers including:
• Doctors, nurses, and other health workers who provide direct patient care in the absence of standard precautions.
• Hospital staff who clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces, materials, and supplies without adequate protective gear.
• Laboratory staff who handle blood samples of suspected Lassa fever patients without appropriate precautions.
• Persons who prepare and/or handle bodies of deceased Lassa fever cases without appropriate precautions.