NCDC urges community action as Lassa fever deaths hit 156

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has called on state governments to sustain year-round community engagement campaigns to curb the spread of Lassa fever, as the country grapples with a higher fatality rate than last year.

In its latest situation report for epidemiological week 31, the public health agency confirmed nine new cases in Ondo, Edo and Taraba — triple the three cases recorded the previous week. This brings the total number of confirmed infections to 836 across 21 states and 105 local government areas, with 156 deaths so far in 2025. The case fatality rate now stands at 18.7 percent, up from 17.3 percent in the same period of 2024.

Lassa fever, a viral haemorrhagic illness, is primarily transmitted through contact with the urine or faeces of infected rats. It can also spread from person to person via bodily fluids, contaminated surfaces, or infected medical equipment. Symptoms range from fever, sore throat, headache, vomiting, and muscle pain to severe cases involving bleeding from body openings.

The NCDC report shows that 90 percent of confirmed cases came from five states — Ondo (33 percent), Bauchi (23 percent), Edo (17 percent), Taraba (14 percent), and Ebonyi (3 percent). The most affected age group is 21 to 30 years, with more men than women infected. No new healthcare worker infections were reported in the week under review.

The agency warned that late presentation of cases, poor health-seeking behaviour driven by high treatment costs, and unsanitary living conditions in high-burden communities are hampering control efforts.

In response, it has deployed rapid response teams, trained health workers, integrated Lassa fever messaging into broader public health communication, and distributed ribavirin, personal protective equipment, and thermometers to affected states.

Healthcare workers are being urged to maintain high suspicion for the disease and ensure timely referrals, while the public is advised to improve environmental sanitation and prevent rodent contact, which is the primary source of infection.