The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention ,NCDC, has warned state governments to step up community engagement and strengthen measures against the worsening Lassa fever outbreak, as the death toll rises to 156.
In its latest epidemiological report for week 31 of 2025, the agency confirmed 836 cases of Lassa fever, with a case fatality rate of 18.7 percent higher than the rate recorded during the same period last year.
The report shows the disease has spread across 21 states and 105 local government areas, with most confirmed cases found in Ondo ,33 percent, Bauchi ,23 percent, Edo,17 percent, Taraba,14 percent, and Ebonyi,3 percent. People aged 21 to 30 are the most affected, with slightly more cases in males than females.
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The NCDC said the rising death rate is linked to factors such as late arrival of patients at health facilities, poor health-seeking behavior due to treatment costs, and poor environmental sanitation in high-risk communities. The agency, however, noted that no new infections among healthcare workers were reported in the last week showing progress in safety measures.
To tackle the outbreak, the NCDC is urging states to adopt year-round community engagement, improve early case detection, and boost rapid response systems. Ongoing measures include deploying National Rapid Response Teams, distributing contact thermometers, launching an infection prevention e-learning course, and training healthcare workers in key states like Bauchi, Ebonyi, and Benue.
While suspected and confirmed cases are fewer compared to 2024, the higher fatality rate shows the need for urgent and sustained action. With the dry season underway a period when Lassa fever cases usually increase the NCDC is stressing the importance of prevention campaigns, accessible treatment, and timely intervention.
The agency said coordinated efforts between federal and state governments remain crucial in reducing the impact of the viral hemorrhagic fever, which continues to threaten lives across Nigeria every year.
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