Lassa Fever: NCDC Confirms 659 Cases, 122 Deaths in 13 Weeks, Tracks 1,277 Contacts Across 18 States as Ondo, Bauchi, Edo Lead Outbreak
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has listed 1,277 individuals for follow-up amid rising concerns over Lassa fever infections. This comes as the agency confirmed 659 cases and 122 deaths from a total of 3,779 suspected cases recorded between January and March 30, 2025.
According to a report obtained on Friday, no fewer than 18 states have reported confirmed cases of the disease, with Ondo, Bauchi, and Edo States accounting for the majority of infections.
“Cumulatively, in week 13 of 2025, 122 deaths have been reported, with a Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 18.5%, slightly lower than the CFR of 18.7% recorded during the same period in 2024,” the report stated.
The NCDC noted that the 18 affected states span 93 Local Government Areas, with 71% of confirmed cases coming from Ondo (30%), Bauchi (25%), and Edo (16%). The remaining 29% were spread across 15 other states.
The most affected age group is 21–30 years, with patients ranging from ages 1 to 94. The male-to-female ratio among confirmed cases stands at 1:0.8. Although suspected cases have increased compared to the same period last year, no new healthcare worker infections were reported in week 13.
So far, 20 healthcare workers have been infected across eight states in 2025. The total number of contacts under follow-up is 1,277, while 1,448 contacts have completed the follow-up period.
Lassa fever, a viral haemorrhagic illness caused by the Lassa virus, is primarily spread by the multimammate rat, although other rodents may also serve as carriers. The disease occurs year-round, with peak transmission typically between October and May.
The NCDC’s National Lassa Fever Incident Management System remains active, coordinating multi-sectoral response efforts at all levels.
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 has listed 1,277 individuals for follow-up amid rising concerns over Lassa fever infections. This comes as the agency confirmed 659 cases and 122 deaths from a total of 3,779 suspected cases recorded between January and March 30, 2025.){kind=link}