Nigeria recorded 206 deaths from Lassa fever in 2025, despite a decline in reported infections, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention. The agency said the case fatality rate rose to 18.4 per cent by epidemiological week 51, compared with 16.4 per cent during the same period in 2024.
In its latest Lassa Fever Situation Report covering 15 to 21 December 2025, the NCDC said 21 new confirmed cases were recorded in week 51, down from 28 cases the previous week. Five deaths were reported during the same period, giving a weekly case fatality rate of 23.8 per cent. The cases were recorded across 14 local government areas in Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Edo, Kogi, Ebonyi and Plateau states.
Cumulatively in 2025, Nigeria recorded 1,119 confirmed cases, nine probable cases and 9,270 suspected cases across 21 states and 105 local government areas. The NCDC said 88 per cent of confirmed cases came from four states, Ondo, Bauchi, Edo and Taraba, with Ondo accounting for the highest share.
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The agency said the rise in deaths was largely due to late presentation of patients at health facilities, alongside poor health-seeking behaviour, high treatment costs and low awareness in high-burden communities. It urged state governments to strengthen community engagement on prevention and called on health workers to ensure early detection, referral and treatment of suspected cases.
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