Lassa fever hits Nigeria: NCDC targets key states

The Lassa fever  outbreak continues to challenge Nigeria, with three states—Ondo, Bauchi, and Edo—identified as the epicentres of the viral hemorrhagic disease.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, NCDC, reported on Wednesday that these states have collectively accounted for over 70% of the confirmed cases so far in 2025.

Dr. Jide Idris, Director-General of the NCDC, briefed journalists in Abuja, explaining that the three states had contributed 71% of the 660 confirmed Lassa fever cases reported between January and the end of March 2025.

Ondo recorded the highest share with 30%, followed by Bauchi with 25%, and Edo with 16%.

Lassa fever, primarily transmitted through the urine or faeces of infected rats, can also spread from person to person via bodily fluids, contaminated objects, or medical equipment.

Symptoms of the disease include fever, sore throat, headache, vomiting, muscle pain, and in severe cases, bleeding from body openings.

Despite a slight drop in confirmed cases from 41 in Week 12 to 14 in Week 13 of 2025, the NCDC has emphasized that the outbreak remains a serious public health concern.

Dr. Idris noted that the agency’s response has been bolstered through a nationwide, multi-sectoral effort aimed at curbing the spread of the disease.

The NCDC’s active Incident Management System is coordinating a comprehensive response across affected states, focusing on early detection, effective case management, risk communication, and community engagement.

Idris stressed that 28 states and 125 local government areas have been impacted this year alone, highlighting the breadth of the outbreak.

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So far, the outbreak has claimed 122 lives, resulting in a case fatality rate of 18.5%. This is higher than the 17.5% case fatality rate recorded during the same period in 2024.

As a result, the NCDC has prioritized the deployment of National Rapid Response Teams to hotspot areas, as well as training healthcare workers on infection prevention and control measures.

Community sensitization campaigns have been scaled up to ensure Nigerians are aware of the dangers of Lassa fever and how to prevent it.

Dr. Idris also underscored the importance of seeking medical help early, noting that prompt presentation to healthcare facilities significantly reduces the risk of fatality.

Collaboration with global health organizations, including the World Health Organization, Médecins Sans Frontières, and the African Field Epidemiology Network, has been central to the NCDC’s efforts.

These partnerships support surveillance, clinical care, and public awareness initiatives, all critical to managing the outbreak.

To enhance preparedness for future outbreaks, the NCDC is also involved in ongoing research through the CEPI-funded Enable Lassa Fever Program 1.5 and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations strategy.

These initiatives aim to improve both the national response to Lassa fever and overall outbreak management in Nigeria.

Dr. Idris concluded by highlighting the ongoing efforts to combat the spread of Lassa fever, including the launch of a dedicated advocacy toolkit and monthly training webinars for healthcare workers.

He called on Nigerians to stay vigilant, maintain hygiene, and avoid contact with rodents to ensure that the outbreak is swiftly brought under control.

NAN