THE Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has recorded 143 confirmed cases of Lassa fever out of 484 suspected cases from December 30, 2024, to January 12, 2025, across seven states and 32 local government areas.
The NCDC also reported 22 deaths, resulting in a Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 15.4 per cent.
This information was contained in the Lassa fever situation report obtained from the NCDC, yesterday.
According to the report, the deaths occurred in Ondo (6), Edo (5), Bauchi (2), Taraba (6), Ebonyi (2), and Gombe (1).
The World Health Organisation describes Lassa fever as an acute viral haemorrhagic illness caused by the Lassa virus, a member of the arenavirus family. Humans usually contract the virus through exposure to food or household items contaminated by the urine or faeces of infected Mastomys rats.
The disease is endemic to rodents in parts of West Africa and is prevalent in countries, such as Benin Republic, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Sierra Leone, Togo and Nigeria. It is also likely present in other West African nations.
“Person-to-person infections and laboratory transmission can also occur, particularly in healthcare settings where infection prevention and control measures are inadequate,” WHO stated.
The NCDC report noted: “In week two, the number of new confirmed cases increased from 54 in epidemiological week one of 2025 to 89, reported in Ondo, Edo, Taraba, Bauchi, Gombe, Kogi, and Ebonyi States.
“Cumulatively in week two of 2025, 22 deaths have been reported with a CFR of 15.4 per cent, which is lower than the CFR for the same period in 2024 (16.4 per cent). Seven states have recorded at least one confirmed case across 32 local government areas this year.”
