Nigeria has recorded a decline in new confirmed cases of Lassa fever, although fatalities linked to the disease remain troublingly high.
Latest data released by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) on Wednesday, shows that three new confirmed cases were recorded in epidemiological week 34, compared to five cases reported in the previous week.
The latest infections were identified in Ondo and Edo States.
Cumulatively, Nigeria has reported 857 confirmed cases of Lassa fever and 160 deaths in 2025.
This represents a case fatality rate of 18.7 per cent, which is higher than the 17.1 per cent recorded during the same period in 2024.
So far this year, 21 states across 106 local government areas have documented at least one confirmed case of the disease.
The majority of infections have so far come from five states.
Ondo State accounted for 33 per cent of all confirmed cases, followed by Bauchi with 23 per cent, Edo with 17 per cent, Taraba with 14 per cent, and Ebonyi with three per cent.
Together, these five states contributed 90 per cent of the national total, while the remaining 16 states with confirmed cases made up just 10 per cent.
Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness transmitted to humans mainly through contact with food or household items contaminated by rodents.
The disease often begins with fever, general weakness, and headaches. Other symptoms may include sore throat, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and abdominal pain.
In severe cases, it can progress to bleeding, difficulty breathing, and organ failure.
The NCDC noted that young adults remain the most affected by the outbreak.
About the Author
