Edino Chubiyo Cornelius 
ABUJA, Nigeria — The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) says at least 176 people have died from Lassa fever across 21 states in 2025, as the country continues to confront widespread infections and rising mortality.
According to the NCDC’s latest Situation Report for Epidemiological Week 43 on Wednesday, Nigeria has recorded 955 confirmed cases from 8,367 suspected infections across 102 Local Government Areas. While overall infection rates are slightly lower than the same period in 2024, the case fatality rate has increased to 18.4 percent, compared to 16.6 percent last year.
Ondo, Bauchi, Edo and Taraba account for 88 percent of all confirmed cases, with Ondo State alone reporting 37 percent. The most affected age group remains young adults aged 21 to 30.
The NCDC warns that late presentation to health facilities and poor health-seeking behaviour are contributing significantly to the rising deaths. High treatment costs and limited access to care in remote regions are further compounding the challenge.
“Early detection and treatment are crucial to survival,” the agency stated. “We are intensifying community awareness and strengthening healthcare worker capacity to manage cases effectively.”
The national response includes the deployment of Rapid Response Teams, After-Action Reviews in high-burden states, and the launch of an Infection Prevention and Control e-learning platform powered by DRASA and supported by the Global Fund.
Essential supplies, including ribavirin and personal protective equipment, have been distributed to treatment centres, while surveillance partnerships with WHO, MSF, and the US CDC continue to expand.
The NCDC is also co-chairing national efforts toward Lassa fever vaccine development through the Nigeria Lassa Vaccine Taskforce and is participating in international clinical trials.
The agency urged state governments to intensify sanitation and rodent control campaigns while advising residents to seek prompt medical attention for symptoms.
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Koko Maxwella 
Otamere Gladness 
Oluwatobi Adu 