NCDC Reports 214 Confirmed Lassa Fever Cases, 39 Deaths Across 10 States

• 214 confirmed Lassa fever cases and 39 deaths reported across 10 states from December 2024 to January 2025.
• Ondo, Edo, and Bauchi account for 77% of all confirmed cases, with the highest fatalities in Ondo and Taraba.
• NCDC activates response teams and reports a decrease in new cases, but the case fatality rate remains high at 18.2%.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed 214 cases of Lassa fever and 39 deaths across 10 states from December 30, 2024, to January 19, 2025. The cases were reported in 43 local government areas.

EKO HOT BLOG reports that according to the Lassa fever situation report obtained by NCDC on Thursday, 843 suspected cases have also been recorded, with a case fatality rate of 18.2%.

The highest number of confirmed cases were reported in Ondo (82), Edo (47), Bauchi (35), and Taraba (31), with additional cases in Ebonyi, Gombe, Kogi, Plateau, Delta, and Nasarawa. Deaths were reported in Ondo (8), Edo (9), Bauchi (4), Taraba (9), and other states.

EDITOR’S PICKS 

• “Lying Mothers Enable Toxic Sons” – Saida Boj
• Nigeria Now Official Partners Of The BRICS – What Are The Implications Of This?
• Violence Breaks Out as Court Extends Detention of Impeached South Korean President

Lassa fever is a viral hemorrhagic disease caused by the Lassa virus, primarily transmitted to humans through exposure to food or household items contaminated with urine or faeces from infected Mastomys rats. The disease is endemic in parts of West Africa, including Nigeria.

The World Health Organization (WHO) also highlighted the risk of person-to-person transmission, especially in healthcare settings without proper infection control measures.

The report from week 3 of 2025 indicated a slight decrease in new confirmed cases, with 71 reported in the week, down from 89 the previous week. The cumulative death toll for week 3 stands at 39, with a reduced case fatality rate compared to the same period in 2024 (20.4%).

FURTHER READING

• BREAKING: Gunmen Disrupt Sunday Service, Shoot Prophet Dead In Ogun
• Hamas Names Three Israeli Women for Release Amid Ceasefire Deal
• BREAKING: Owoade To Be Crowned Alaafin Of Oyo April 4

NCDC’s report further revealed that 77% of confirmed cases were from Ondo, Edo, and Bauchi, with the majority of cases in individuals aged 21-30 years. The male-to-female ratio for confirmed cases was 1:0.8.

In response, NCDC has activated the National Lassa fever multi-partner, multi-sectoral Incident Management System to coordinate efforts, and deployed National Rapid Response Teams to assist with control and management using a One Health approach.

Click here to watch video of the Week