The Nigeria centre for Diseases Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed 674 cases of Lassa fever from a total of 4,025 suspected infections reported between January and April 6, 2025, spanning 93 local government areas in 18 states.
This was made known in the latest situation report by the NCDC on Tuesday.
So far, the outbreak has claimed 127 lives across the country, with a case fatality rate of 18.8 per cent, according to the NCDC.
The states with reported death cases are Ondo (26); Bauchi (12); Edo (17); Taraba (31); Ebonyi (11); Kogi (four); and Plateau (five).
Others are Gombe (seven); Benue (four); Nasarawa (four); Kaduna (two); Enugu (one); Delta (one); Cross-River (one); and Ogun (one).
Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness caused by the Lassa virus, which is transmitted to humans primarily through contact with food or household items contaminated by infected rodents.
The report partly read, “In week 14, the number of new confirmed cases increased from 14 in epi week 13 of 2025 to 15. These were reported in Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba, Ebonyi, and Gombe States. Cumulatively in week 14, 2025, 127 deaths have been reported with a CFR of 18.8 per cent, which is higher than the CFR for the same period in 2024 (18.5 per cent).
“In total for 2025, 18 States have recorded at least one confirmed case across 93 LGs. 71 per cent of all confirmed Lassa fever cases were reported from these three states (Ondo, Bauchi and Edo) while 28 per cent were reported from 15 states with confirmed Lassa fever cases. Of the 71 per cent confirmed cases, Ondo reported 30 per cent, Bauchi 25 per cent, and Edo 16 per cent.
“The predominant age group affected is 21-30 years (Range: 1 to 94 years, Median Age: 30 years). The male-to-female ratio for confirmed cases is 1:0.8.”
The NCDC noted a decline in the number of suspected Lassa fever cases compared to the same period in 2024, adding that no new healthcare worker was affected in the reporting week 14.
It added that the National Lassa fever multi-partner, multi-sectoral Incident Management System has been activated to coordinate the response activities across all levels.
