The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, on Tuesday, said Nigeria has recorded 155 deaths from Lassa fever from January 1 to July 20, 2025.
The Case Fatality Rate now stands at 18.9 per cent, higher than the 17.1 per cent recorded during the same period in 2024.
As of epidemiological Week 29, Nigeria has reported a total of 6,640 suspected cases and 822 confirmed cases across 21 states and 105 Local Government Areas.
According to the World Health Organisation, Lassa fever is an acute viral illness caused by the Lassa virus.
It is known to be endemic in Benin, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria and Sierra Leone, but probably exists in other West African countries.
The global health body said the Lassa virus is primarily transmitted to humans via contact with food or household items contaminated with rodent urine or faeces, and person-to-person transmission can also occur, particularly in health care settings lacking adequate infection prevention and control measures.
The NCDC also noted that the number of new confirmed cases in week 29 remained the same as in week 27, with fresh infections reported in Ondo and Edo states.
“In week 29, the number of new confirmed cases is the same as epi week 28 of 2025. These were reported in Ondo and Edo states.
“Cumulatively, as of week 29, 2025, 155 deaths have been reported with a Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 18.9 per cent, which is higher than the CFR for the same period in 2024 (17.1 person cent).
“In total for 2025, 21 states have recorded at least one confirmed case across 105 Local Government Areas,” the report partly stated.
A significant majority of 89 per cent of confirmed Lassa fever cases were recorded in five states: Ondo (32 per cent), Bauchi (23 per cent), Edo (17 per cent), Taraba (14 per cent), and Ebonyi (three per cent).
The remaining 11 per cent of confirmed cases were reported from 16 other states.
“The predominant age group affected is 21-30 years (range: 1 to 96 years, Median Age: 30 years). The male-to-female ratio for confirmed cases is 1:0.8.
“The number of suspected and confirmed cases decreased compared to that reported for the same period in 2024.
“No new healthcare worker was affected in the reporting week 29.
“The National Lassa fever multi-partner, multi-sectoral Technical Working Group continues supporting coordination of response activities at all levels,” it added.
