Lassa Fever Outbreak Kills 72 Within A Week in Nigeria, Bringing Current Death Toll to 80 With 2122 Suspected Cases Nationwide
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Feb 25, 2025 2 hours, 30 minutes ago
Medical News: Rising Death Toll Sparks Nationwide Concern
Nigeria is facing a serious health crisis as Lassa fever has claimed 80 lives since the beginning of 2025, with 72 deaths occurring within just one week. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed the alarming increase in fatalities and reported 2,122 suspected cases of the disease across the country. With a case fatality rate (CFR) of 19.4%, Lassa fever is proving to be deadlier this year than in 2024, when the CFR stood at 17.5%.
Lassa Fever Outbreak Kills 72 Within A Week in Nigeria, Bringing Current Death Toll to 80 With 2122
Suspected Cases Nationwide
The NCDC’s latest situation report highlights that so far 413 cases have been confirmed in laboratories, with the highest number of infections coming from Ondo, Edo, and Bauchi states. Many of the suspected 2122 cases are still undergoing testing as unfortunately most states have no proper diagnostic labs and samples have to sent elsewhere. The rapid spread of the disease is causing great concern among health officials, as they struggle to keep an accurate count of new cases. The impact of this outbreak has reached 63 local government areas across 11 states, and authorities are working to contain the spread as quickly as possible. This
Medical News report explores the current situation and response efforts in place to tackle the deadly disease.
States Most Affected by the Outbreak
The NCDC has identified Ondo, Edo, and Bauchi states as the hardest hit, accounting for 73% of all confirmed Lassa fever cases. Ondo alone has reported 34% of cases, followed by Edo with 21% and Bauchi with 18%. The disease has also been detected in Benue, Gombe, Kogi, Ebonyi, and Taraba states, raising concerns that it could spread further.
The report also shows that young adults between the ages of 21 and 30 are the most affected group. The male-to-female ratio of confirmed cases is 1:0.8, indicating that both men and women are being infected at nearly equal rates. Health officials are particularly worried about the potential for even higher infection numbers in the coming weeks if immediate measures are not taken to control the outbreak.
Government and Health Authorities Take Action
In response to the crisis, the NCDC has launched several initiatives to curb the spread of the disease. The agency is working closely with local health authorities and organizations such as Nigeria Health Watch to strengthen response efforts.
Steps taken so far include:
-Conducting Lassa fever risk assessments to prepare for future outbreaks
-Sending alert letters to all affected states
-Conducting community surveys in Bauchi, Ebonyi, and Edo
-Treating confirmed cases at designated medical centers
Additionally, healthcare workers in affected states are receiving specialized training in case management, while enhanced surveillance and contact tracing
efforts are being implemented. Authorities are also distributing essential medical supplies, including personal protective equipment (PPE), Ribavirin (an antiviral drug), thermometers, and body bags to hospitals and treatment centers.
What is Lassa Fever and How Does It Spread?
Lassa fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic illness caused by the Lassa virus, which is primarily transmitted through contact with food or household items contaminated by infected rat urine or feces. Human-to-human transmission can also occur through direct contact with an infected person's bodily fluids, making the disease highly contagious in unsanitary conditions.
About 80% of those infected with the virus experience mild or no symptoms. However, one in five infections results in severe illness, affecting organs such as the liver, spleen, and kidneys. The incubation period ranges from 2 to 21 days, meaning that infected individuals may not show symptoms immediately, leading to delayed diagnosis and increased risk of further transmission.
Challenges in Containing the Outbreak
One of the biggest challenges in controlling the spread of Lassa fever is the poor health-seeking behavior observed in many high-risk communities. Many people do not seek medical attention early due to limited awareness, high treatment costs, or mistrust of healthcare systems. Additionally, overcrowded living conditions and inadequate sanitation make it easier for the virus to spread.
Health authorities are working to address these challenges by increasing public awareness campaigns, ensuring early detection, and providing free or affordable treatment in affected regions. Community sensitization programs are being carried out in high-risk areas to educate people on preventive measures, such as proper food storage, rodent control, and improved hygiene practices.
Conclusion
The current outbreak of Lassa fever in Nigeria has become a major public health concern, with 80 recorded deaths and over 2,100 suspected cases. The NCDC and other health organizations are taking urgent action to contain the spread of the disease, but challenges such as poor awareness, high treatment costs, and limited medical infrastructure remain significant obstacles. The public is being urged to remain vigilant, adopt preventive measures, and seek medical attention immediately if they experience symptoms such as fever, weakness, or bleeding.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely and are committed to intensifying response efforts to prevent further loss of life.
The latest Lassa Situation Report by the Nigerian CDC can be found here:
https://ncdc.gov.ng/themes/common/files/sitreps/d84698b45d03dafb399e97fa8379c4d5.pdf
For the latest Outbreak News, keep on logging to Thailand
Medical News.
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