Nigeria Faces Lassa Fever Outbreak with 118 Deaths Confirmed

Photo: PR Nigeria

March 31, 2025 Hour: 2:36 pm

Since January, Nigeria has been battling a Lassa fever outbreak—an acute hemorrhagic disease—that has resulted in 118 deaths and 645 confirmed cases from a total of 3,465 suspected cases, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). The outbreak spans 33 of the country’s 36 states, excluding the capital Abuja, with a case fatality rate of 18.3%.

The outbreak has affected 20 healthcare workers across eight states, emphasizing the urgent need for stricter infection prevention and control measures in medical facilities. The NCDC has identified several high-incidence states, including Kogi, Ondo, Edo, Bauchi, Taraba, and Ebonyi, as priority areas for intervention.

Nigeria reports 118 deaths from Lassa fever in the first three months of 2025, with 645 confirmed cases. The rodent-borne virus remains a major health threat, with infections spreading across 33 states, including among healthcare workers. pic.twitter.com/Ft01JEfRxp
— Radar Africa (@radarafricacom) March 31, 2025

To curb the outbreak, the NCDC has deployed rapid response teams in ten states with high case numbers. Efforts include enhancing case surveillance, community-level education, and treatment management. However, challenges persist, such as delays in seeking medical care, reliance on self-medication, limited resources, and a shortage of healthcare personnel.

The agency has also urged state governments to support free treatment for Lassa fever patients and called on the private sector to provide medical supplies and contribute to public awareness campaigns.

Prevention Strategies

Key preventive measures recommended by the NCDC include:

Early medical intervention for suspected cases.
Improved hygiene practices in households and communities.
Rodent control to mitigate the primary mode of transmission.

About Lassa Fever

Endemic in several West African countries, Lassa fever is transmitted mainly by rodents or their excreta. It can also spread between individuals, particularly in healthcare settings lacking proper infection controls. Symptoms range from fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, with an incubation period of 6 to 21 days.

Discovered in 1969 in the Nigerian town of Lassa, the disease remains a significant public health challenge, with an estimated 100,000 to 300,000 infections annually and approximately 5,000 deaths across the region, as reported by the Africa CDC.

The situation calls for sustained efforts to mitigate the outbreak and protect vulnerable communities while reinforcing healthcare systems to manage future risks.