The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has published the Lassa Fever Situation Report for Epidemiological Week 49, covering the period from 1st to 7th December 2025. The report provides an update on the status of Lassa fever in Nigeria, including trends in confirmed cases, mortality, geographical distribution, and demographic characteristics of affected persons.
During Epidemiological Week 49, the number of confirmed Lassa fever cases increased from 24 in Week 48 to 33 cases. These cases were reported from Edo, Bauchi, Ondo, and Taraba States. This indicates a continued transmission of the disease within known endemic areas.
Cumulatively, from the beginning of 2025 to Week 49, a total of 1,069 confirmed cases and 195 deaths have been recorded nationwide, resulting in a case fatality rate of 18.2 percent. This fatality rate is higher than the 16.5 percent recorded during the same period in 2024, despite a reduction in the overall number of suspected and confirmed cases compared to last year.
A total of 21 states have reported at least one confirmed case of Lassa fever across 103 Local Government Areas. The disease burden remains concentrated, with 89 percent of confirmed cases reported from Ondo, Bauchi, Taraba, and Edo States. The most affected age group is 21 to 30 years, indicating that young adults continue to bear the highest burden of infection. No new healthcare worker infections were reported during the week under review.
In conclusion, the Lassa fever situation in Week 49 of 2025 shows a modest increase in confirmed cases compared to the previous week, alongside a higher case fatality rate than observed in 2024. While the decline in suspected and confirmed cases compared to the previous year is encouraging, the elevated fatality rate highlights the need for sustained surveillance, early case detection, prompt treatment, and continued public health interventions, particularly in high-burden states.
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