Lassa Fever: NCDC Reports 118 Deaths, 645 Cases in 3 Month
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has recorded 3,465 suspected cases of Lassa fever, 645 confirmed cases, and 118 deaths across 91 Local Government Areas in 33 states between January and March 2025.
The number of deaths recorded represents a Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 18.3%.
Unfortunately, 20 healthcare workers have been infected—8 in Ondo, 4 in Bauchi, 1 in Edo, 2 in Taraba, 1 in Ebonyi, 2 in Gombe, 1 in Benue, and 1 in Ogun states.
The NCDC added that treatment centers are experiencing manpower shortages, and many patients delay seeking care, often resorting to self-medication and unorthodox practices, which ultimately prove ineffective.
Director General of the NCDC, Dr. Jide Idris, who disclosed this in a statement yesterday in Abuja, said that in an effort to respond and strengthen outbreak control, the agency has activated the Lassa Fever National Emergency Operations Centre (LF-EOC) at Response Level.
He explained that LF-EOC activation allows for improved coordination across all stakeholders (Federal, States, Local Government, Developmental partners, and others).
The DG noted that in line with its commitment to an effective response, the agency deployed Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) to 10 states—Kogi, Plateau, Ondo, Edo, Bauchi, Ebonyi, Taraba, Benue, Gombe, and Nasarawa—for a period of two weeks between January and March 2025.
Idris stated that as a result of the evolving nature of the outbreak in some areas, deployments in Edo and Taraba were extended by an additional 10 and 7 days, respectively.
He observed that the agency has distributed essential medical supplies, including personal protective equipment (PPEs) and treatment medications, to affected states.
Idris said that targeted, state-specific advisories have been issued to guide the prevention and control of Lassa fever.
He lamented that despite these efforts, several challenges have hindered response efforts, including weak community-level surveillance, which impedes early detection, and inadequate human and financial resources for treatment, contact tracing, and active case search at both state and community levels.
He advised individuals suspected of having Lassa fever to seek medical care immediately for the best outcomes.
The NCDC boss appealed to state governments to support the cost of treatment for Lassa fever and similar diseases.
He also emphasized the critical role of the private sector in ensuring the provision of essential medical supplies and supporting the public in health awareness initiatives.
Idris added that preventing Lassa fever requires collective action. Whilst the NCDC and state governments are leading the response, every Nigerian has a role to play in reducing the spread of the virus.
He reiterated the importance of healthcare workers consistently applying infection prevention and control (IPC) measures and maintaining a high index of suspicion for Lassa fever.
Idris urged Nigerians to prioritize environmental hygiene practices and adopt measures that prevent rats from accessing homes, food, and utensils, as these remain the most effective means of prevention.
