By Lassa fever, a dangerous viral infection that spreads quickly, is once again causing serious concern in Nigeria. In just one week, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) confirmed 38 new cases and nine deaths. This brings fresh pressure on Nigeria’s already struggling healthcare system.
While the latest numbers show a slight drop from the previous week’s 54 cases, the situation is still alarming because the fatality rate has risen to nearly 20 percent. This means one in five people infected is dying from the disease.
So far in 2025, Lassa fever has been reported in 12 states across 66 local government areas. However, the outbreak is mainly concentrated in just three states — Ondo, Edo, and Bauchi. Together, these states account for 73 percent of all confirmed cases, with Ondo alone making up 34 percent.
Most of the people infected are young adults between the ages of 21 and 30, with men slightly more affected than women. This age group tends to be more active, increasing their risk of exposure.
Lassa fever outbreaks in Nigeria are seasonal, peaking between November and April when the dry season creates ideal conditions for the disease to spread. It is mostly transmitted through contact with food or household items contaminated by the urine or feces of infected Mastomys rats, but human-to-human transmission is also common in hospitals without proper infection control.
With cases still spreading, health officials are urging better hygiene practices, improved rodent control, and stricter infection prevention in healthcare settings. As the dry season continues, the risk of further infections remains high.
