- The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) reported an 18.2% fatality rate in the ongoing Lassa fever outbreak
- 39 deaths recorded in the first three weeks of 2025
- Edo and Taraba states reported the highest fatalities (9 each)
A situation report from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed that Lassa fever claimed 39 lives within the first three weeks of 2025.
The report which was released on Thursday, January 30 revealed that confirmed cases and fatalities were reported in 43 Local Government Areas (LGAs).
Ondo, Bauchi, Ebonyi among states affected by Lassa fever
“Cumulatively in week three, 2025, 39 deaths have been reported with a case fatality rate (CFR) of 18.2 per cent, which is lower than the CFR for the same period in 2024 (20.4 per cent).
“In total, for 2025, 10 States have recorded at least one confirmed case across 43 LGAs,” the report stated.
The disease, which is transmitted through infected rodents, recorded the highest number of fatalities in Edo and Taraba states, with nine deaths each. Ondo State followed with eight deaths, while Bauchi reported four fatalities.
Ebonyi and Gombe each recorded three deaths, whereas Kogi, Plateau, and Nasarawa states reported one death each.
According to the NCDC data, Edo State had the highest number of suspected cases at 266, followed by Ondo with 250 and Bauchi with 154 cases. Other states affected include Taraba (64 cases), Ebonyi (30), Gombe (10), Nasarawa (22), and Kogi (9 cases).
NCDC urges caution as Lassa spreads
Further analysis revealed that 175 cases were managed at treatment centres, while 162 individuals were listed as cumulative contacts. Meanwhile, 109 contacts remained under follow-up, and 34 had completed monitoring.
The most affected age group ranged between 21 and 30 years, the report indicated.
The NCDC advised the public to be cautious, as symptoms of Lassa fever include fever, headache, sore throat, cough, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, muscle pain, chest pain, and hearing loss.
Individuals with a history of contact with rodent excreta or urine were urged to seek immediate medical attention.
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Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that at least 24 residents of Bida, Niger State, were hospitalised with a mysterious illness causing paralysis and loss of speech
Health officials investigated a possible link between diphenhydramine and the illness spreading across several local communities in the State.