Nigeria Records 145 New Lassa Fever Deaths, Fatality Rate Rises

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported a troubling rise in Lassa fever fatalities, with 145 deaths documented during Epidemiological Week 25.

According to an update posted on its official website on Saturday, the agency revealed that the country’s case fatality rate (CFR) now stands at 18.6 percent — an increase from the 17.6 percent recorded within the same period in 2024.

Covering data for weeks 16 to 22 of June, the NCDC disclosed there were 781 confirmed cases out of 5,943 suspected infections across 20 states and 101 Local Government Areas (LGAs).

In the latest reporting week, 10 fresh confirmed cases emerged from Ondo and Edo States, slightly above the eight cases recorded the previous week.

Further analysis by the NCDC indicated that five states accounted for 91 percent of all confirmed cases this year: Ondo (31%), Bauchi (24%), Edo (17%), Taraba (16%), and Ebonyi (3%).

The report also highlighted that young adults between ages 21 and 30 remain the most affected demographic, with males slightly more impacted, reflected in a male-to-female ratio of 1:0.8.

The agency attributed the climbing fatality rate to factors such as late presentation at health facilities, high cost of treatment, and poor health-seeking behaviour among the populace. However, it noted that no new infections were reported among health workers during the period under review.