The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported the next case fatality price (CFR) from Lassa fever in 2025 in comparison with the identical interval final 12 months, regardless of a slight decline in general confirmed circumstances.
In its newest state of affairs report overlaying epidemiological week 35, the company stated 162 deaths have been recorded in 2025, representing a CFR of 18.6 per cent.
That is increased than the 17.1 per cent recorded throughout the identical interval in 2024.
Eight hundred seventy-one confirmed circumstances have additionally been reported this 12 months, decrease than the 982 circumstances recorded throughout the identical interval in 2024.
Nevertheless, suspected and possible circumstances stay widespread, with 7,375 suspected infections logged throughout 21 states and 106 native authorities areas (LGAs) in 2025.
Present week pattern
The report reveals that in week 35 of 2025, the variety of new confirmed circumstances rose to 10, in comparison with three recorded within the earlier week.
These new infections have been reported in Edo, Ondo, Bauchi, and Taraba States.
The report added that no new well being employee an infection was recorded throughout the week.
Based on the NCDC, 91 per cent of all confirmed circumstances this 12 months got here from simply 5 states: Ondo (33 per cent), Bauchi (23 per cent), Edo (18 per cent), Taraba (14 per cent), and Ebonyi (three per cent).
The remaining 16 states accounted for less than 9 per cent of circumstances.
Essentially the most affected age group stays younger adults aged 21 to 30, with a median age of 30. The male-to-female ratio for confirmed circumstances is 1:0.8.
Ongoing response efforts
The NCDC stated it has sustained a multi-partner response to comprise the outbreak, deploying fast response groups to affected states and activating the Lassa fever Incident Administration System on the Nationwide Public Well being Emergency Operations Centre.
Confirmed circumstances are being managed at designated centres, whereas well being staff have been educated in case administration, an infection prevention and management, and psychosocial help.
The company added that laboratory capability has been strengthened and important provides comparable to ribavirin and protecting tools stockpiled.
It additionally famous that threat communication stays central to the response, with public advisories issued nationwide and sensitisation campaigns underway in hotspot communities to enhance consciousness and health-seeking behaviour.
Challenges
Regardless of these measures, the NCDC acknowledged that a number of obstacles proceed to undermine management efforts.
Many sufferers current late for remedy, which has contributed considerably to the excessive fatality price.
Poor health-seeking behaviour, typically linked to the price of care, stays one other problem.
Weak environmental sanitation in high-burden communities has additionally performed a task in sustaining transmission, whereas ranges of consciousness about preventive measures stay low amongst residents within the worst-affected areas.
Subsequent steps
Wanting forward, the company stated it’s working with companions to launch a five-year Lassa Fever Strategic Plan overlaying 2025 to 2029.
It additionally intends to help remedy centres with improved tools and practice no less than 80% of medical workers at designated services.
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The NCDC urged states to strengthen neighborhood engagement all year long and known as on well being staff to take care of a excessive index of suspicion for the illness to make sure early prognosis and well timed remedy.
Lassa fever
Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic sickness brought on by the Lassa virus, which is transmitted to people primarily via contact with meals or home items contaminated by the urine or faeces of contaminated rats.
It could actually additionally unfold from individual to individual via contact with bodily fluids.
The illness typically begins with fever, weak point, and headache, and will progress to extra extreme signs comparable to bleeding, issue respiratory, swelling, and organ failure.
Early prognosis and immediate remedy with Ribavirin are crucial for bettering survival.
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