Lassa Fever: Nigeria Reports 54 New Cases and 10 Deaths in One Week
Nigeria has confirmed 54 new cases of Lassa fever and 10 deaths within the week spanning from December 30, 2024, to January 5, 2025, according to the latest situation report from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).
The report reveals that six states have recorded at least one confirmed case across 20 local government areas (LGAs) in 2025. The number of new confirmed cases has decreased from 70 in the final week of 2024 to 54. However, the number of suspected cases has increased compared to the same period in 2024.
Cumulatively, this week’s data shows a total of 10 deaths, resulting in a case fatality rate (CFR) of 18.5 percent, which is higher than the CFR of 11.3 percent during the same period in 2024.
Breakdown of Cases
The report indicates that the following six states have recorded confirmed cases: Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba, Ebonyi, and Kogi. Notably, 78 percent of all confirmed cases this week originated from three states: Ondo (35 percent), Edo (28 percent), and Bauchi (15 percent).
Importantly, no health workers were infected during the reporting week. The data shows that individuals aged 20 to 31 are predominantly affected by the disease.
In 2024, Nigeria experienced a significant outbreak of Lassa fever, with 9,685 suspected cases, 1,187 confirmed cases, and 191 deaths across 28 states and 138 LGAs. This increase in cases aligns with the typical peak season for Lassa fever, which usually occurs during the dry season from December to April.
Challenges
The NCDC has highlighted several challenges in its efforts to combat Lassa fever. These include late presentation of cases, leading to an increased CFR, and poor health-seeking behavior, which may be attributed to the high cost of treatment and clinical management of the disease. Additionally, poor environmental sanitation conditions in high-burden communities and a lack of awareness about the disease contribute to the challenges faced in controlling the outbreak.
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