Deadly Lassa Fever Outbreak: 127 Nigerians Killed, Over 4,000 Suspected Cases So Far

Deadly Lassa Fever Outbreak: 127 Nigerians Killed, Over 4,000 Suspected Cases So Far

Nigeria’s battle with Lassa fever is far from over. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed that 127 people have already died from the disease in 2025. This is coming as more than 4,000 suspected cases have been recorded across the country.

The NCDC’s latest situation report, covering the week from March 31 to April 6, shows that 674 cases have been officially confirmed from a pool of 4,025 suspected infections. These numbers come from 18 states and 93 Local Government Areas (LGAs). The outbreak isn’t slowing down.

In fact, during that reporting week, the number of newly confirmed cases rose slightly from 14 to 15. These were recorded in Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba, Ebonyi, and Gombe states. The outbreak is still very broad, as evidenced by the fact that fresh cases continue to appear in several areas.

This year’s outbreak is still centered in three states: Edo, Bauchi, and Ondo. When combined, they account for an astounding 71% of all infections that have been proven. Ondo tops the list with 30% of all cases, Bauchi follows closely with 25%, and Edo accounts for 16%. The remaining 28% are scattered across 15 other states.

That concentration tells us something important: these areas haven’t just had a few random outbreaks. They’re deeply affected, and the disease has rooted itself in communities there.

The age group most affected by Lassa fever this year is between 21 and 30. It’s not just the young adults though. The age of patients ranges from just 1 year to as old as 94. The median age is 30, and the gender ratio is close to even, with slightly more men than women being infected—about 1 man to every 0.8 women.

So what’s really going on? Why are people still dying?

The answer, unfortunately, isn’t complicated. The Case Fatality Rate (CFR) this year is now at 18.8%. That’s higher than the 18.5% recorded around the same time in 2024. A higher CFR means more people are dying once they get infected. According to the NCDC, the main reasons are familiar: late diagnosis, poor health-seeking behaviour, poverty, and limited access to medical care.

Many patients wait too long before seeking help. Some don’t go at all. Others avoid hospitals due to the high cost of treatment. Combine that with poor sanitation and low public awareness in areas where the disease hits hardest, and it’s no surprise that people are dying needlessly.

Despite the severity of the outbreak, there is some good news: no new infections among healthcare workers were reported during the most recent reporting week, which is a positive indication. Hospitals can continue to treat patients safely and stop the outbreak from getting worse within medical facilities if they can protect their staff.

To deal with the situation, the NCDC has activated a multi-sectoral Incident Management System. This includes government bodies, local authorities, and international partners. The goal is to coordinate response efforts, ensure timely reporting, and provide the resources needed to manage the outbreak.

However, the government’s role is not the only one.

Nigerians can make a significant contribution to stopping the disease’s spread. Contact with food or household objects tainted with rat urine or feces is usually how Lassa fever is transmitted. In other words, it thrives where sanitation is poor and hygiene is ignored. Human-to-human transmission also happens—especially in hospital settings without strict infection control measures.

That’s why the NCDC and other health authorities are asking everyone to take hygiene seriously. Store food properly. Keep rats out of your homes. Wash your hands regularly. And if you feel sick, report to a health centre early. Don’t try to treat yourself at home or rely on herbal concoctions. That delay can be deadly.

The truth is, Lassa fever is not new to Nigeria. It’s endemic here. But that doesn’t mean we should accept it as normal. A disease that can be prevented should not keep killing this many people year after year.

Until people begin to take preventive measures seriously—and until the government ensures proper healthcare access in the most vulnerable areas—this cycle will keep repeating itself.