The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported that the death toll from Lassa fever in the country has increased to 168, up from 166.
In its epidemiological report released on Friday, the 3rd of October, 2025, the NCDC stated that from the 1st of January to the 21st of September, the Case Fatality Rate (CFR) now stands at 18.5 per cent, compared with 16.9 per cent during the same period in 2024.
The report added that as of epidemiological Week 38, Nigeria has recorded a total of 7,792 suspected cases and 906 confirmed cases across 21 states and 106 Local Government Areas.
The World Health Organisation explained that Lassa fever is “an acute viral illness caused by the Lassa virus,” noting that the disease is endemic in Benin, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone. It further observed that Lassa fever “probably exists in other West African countries as well.”
According to WHO, “Lassa virus is primarily transmitted to humans through contact with food or household items contaminated with rodent urine or faeces. Person-to-person transmission can also occur, particularly in healthcare settings lacking adequate infection prevention and control measures.”
The NCDC reported that in Week 38, the number of new confirmed cases remained unchanged from Week 37 of 2025, with 11 cases recorded in Ondo, Edo, and Taraba States.
Cumulatively, the agency confirmed that as of Week 38, 2025, 168 deaths have been reported, corresponding to a CFR of 18.5 per cent, higher than the 16.9 per cent recorded for the same period in 2024.
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The report highlighted that 21 states have recorded at least one confirmed case across 106 Local Government Areas. A large majority-90 per cent-of confirmed cases came from five states: Ondo (33 per cent), Bauchi (23 per cent), Edo (18 per cent), Taraba (13 per cent), and Ebonyi (three per cent), while the remaining 10 per cent were distributed among 16 other states.
The predominant age group affected is 21–30 years, with cases ranging from 1 to 96 years and a median age of 30. The male-to-female ratio for confirmed cases stands at 1:0.8.
The report noted that no new healthcare workers were affected during the reporting week, and both suspected and confirmed cases have declined compared with the same period in 2024.
The NCDC’s multi-partner, multi-sectoral Technical Working Group continues to coordinate response activities at all levels.