The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed 54 cases of Lassa fever from December 30, 2024, to January 5, 2025, out of 196 suspected cases.
The outbreak has also resulted in 10 deaths, marking a Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 18.5%, significantly higher than the same period in 2024, which recorded a CFR of 11.3%.
According to the NCDC’s Lassa fever situation report, the confirmed cases span six states and 20 local government areas (LGAs) across Nigeria. The states affected include Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba, Ebonyi, and Kogi. In the first week of 2025, new confirmed cases decreased from 70 in the previous week to 54.
The report noted that 78% of the confirmed cases came from Ondo, Edo, and Bauchi states, with Ondo accounting for 35%, Edo 28%, and Bauchi 15%. The predominant age group affected was 21-30 years, with a range of 3 to 70 years and a median age of 31.5 years. The male-to-female ratio for confirmed cases stood at 1:0.6.
The NCDC highlighted an increase in suspected cases compared to the same period in 2024 but noted that no new healthcare worker infections were reported during this time. The National Lassa Fever Multi-Partner, Multi-Sectoral Incident Management System has been activated to manage the outbreak at all levels.
Dr. Jide Idris, Director General of the NCDC, had earlier announced in December 2024 that the Emergency Operations Centre for Lassa fever had been activated, and the risk assessment was categorized as high. The agency continues to address the outbreak during the peak season.
In 2024, Nigeria recorded 9,685 suspected cases of Lassa fever, 1,187 confirmed cases, and 191 deaths across 28 states and 138 LGAs.
Lassa fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic illness caused by the Lassa virus, primarily transmitted to humans through exposure to food or household items contaminated with the urine or faeces of infected Mastomys rats. The disease remains endemic in the rodent population in certain regions of West Africa.