By Bashir Aliyu
Abuja- Nigeria– The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported a decline in new Lassa fever cases in its Week 9 report for 2025. However, the agency raised concerns over the persistently high fatality rate, which stands at 18.7%, with 100 deaths recorded so far this year.
According to the report, 29 new cases were confirmed across nine states—Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba, Ebonyi, Plateau, Cross River, Nasarawa, and Enugu. This marks a drop from the 54 cases recorded in Week 8. Despite the decline, 72% of all confirmed cases are concentrated in three states: Ondo (31%), Bauchi (24%), and Edo (17%), highlighting the need for targeted interventions in these hotspots.
Healthcare Workers at Risk
One new healthcare worker was infected in Week 9, bringing the total number of affected health workers in 2025 to 17. The NCDC emphasized the urgent need for better protective measures, adequate personal protective equipment (PPE), and improved infection prevention protocols in hospitals to safeguard frontline workers.
Challenges in Containing the Outbreak
The NCDC identified several challenges hindering the response to the outbreak:
- Late Presentation of Cases: Delayed medical attention contributes to high fatality rates.
- High Treatment Costs: Many avoid seeking care due to the expense of treatment.
- Poor Sanitation: Rodent infestations and unsanitary conditions in high-burden communities fuel the spread.
- Low Awareness: Many communities lack knowledge about Lassa fever symptoms and prevention.
Response Efforts
To combat the outbreak, the NCDC has deployed the National Rapid Response Team (NRRT) to Gombe, Nasarawa, and Benue states to provide technical support. The agency has also intensified risk communication and trained healthcare workers in Bauchi, Ebonyi, and Benue states.
Collaborating with international partners like the World Health Organization (WHO) and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), the NCDC is working to improve case management and strengthen surveillance.
Comparative Data
While the number of confirmed cases in 2025 (535 as of Week 9) is lower than in 2024 (682 during the same period), the fatality rate remains nearly unchanged at 18.7%. This indicates that while transmission has slowed, the disease remains deadly.
Public Advisory
The NCDC advises Nigerians to:
- Avoid contact with rodents and their droppings.
- Store food properly to prevent contamination.
- Seek immediate medical attention if symptoms like fever, headache, sore throat, or unexplained bleeding occur.
Lassa Fever: A Persistent Threat
Lassa fever, a viral hemorrhagic disease, is spread through contact with food or items contaminated by infected rodents. Human-to-human transmission can occur in healthcare settings with poor infection control. Nigeria records cases year-round, with peaks between October and May.
The Way Forward
Public health experts urge state governments, donor agencies, and community leaders to intensify awareness campaigns and improve healthcare infrastructure in affected areas. Long-term investments in disease surveillance, sanitation, and public education are critical to reducing the impact of Lassa fever in Nigeria.
While the decline in cases is encouraging, the high fatality rate underscores the need for sustained efforts to protect lives and prevent future outbreaks.
Bashir Aliyu is a reporter and editor at Daily Review Newspaper.