Nigeria’s Lassa Fever Death Toll Climbs to 172 in 2025: Ondo State Emerges as Epicenter Amid Intensified Public Health Response

Nigeria faces a serious public health challenge as Lassa fever infections and fatalities continue to rise in 2025, with the latest numbers revealing 924 confirmed cases and 172 deaths across 21 states, and Ondo State reporting the highest caseload. Health authorities and experts warn that late presentation of symptoms, poor sanitation, and limited public awareness are fueling the epidemic, underscoring the need for urgent and coordinated response measures.​

Lassa Fever Outbreak: Key Facts and Latest Figures

• As of October 2025, Nigeria has seen 924 laboratory-confirmed Lassa fever cases and 172 deaths, leading to a case fatality rate (CFR) of 18.6%—up from 17% in 2024.​

• Over 90% of confirmed cases originate from just five states: Ondo (35%), Bauchi (22%), Edo (17%), Taraba (13%), and Ebonyi (3%).​

• The most vulnerable demographics are those aged 21-30. Men make up a slightly higher proportion of the burden, with a male-to-female ratio of 1:0.8.​

• Ondo State remains the epicenter, consistently reporting a high concentration of both confirmed cases and deaths.​

• The outbreak’s cumulative geographic spread covers 106 local government areas, signaling both persistence and growing reach.​

Expert Insights: Causes, Spread, and Public Health Response

Dr. Oluniyi Ajao, consultant virologist (not involved in current outbreak response), comments: “The surge in Lassa fever cases is driven by entrenched environmental and socioeconomic risk factors. Seasonal peaks coincide with dry months when rodents encroach on human settlements in search of food, sharply raising transmission risks. Poor waste management and urban expansion exacerbate the challenge.”​

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has identified several contributors to the rising death toll:

• Late presentation of cases, which hinders effective case management and increases mortality.​

• High treatment costs and poor health-seeking behavior, resulting in delayed or absent care.​

• Low public awareness in high-burden communities.​

• Poor sanitation, which facilitates transmission by contaminated food and household items.​

National and Subnational Response Efforts

The NCDC has scaled up interventions:

• Deployment of 10 National Rapid Response Teams in high-burden states under a One Health approach.​

• Collaborations with WHO, CEPI, NAFDAC, and other partners to improve disease surveillance, risk communication, and vaccine access.​

• Distribution of infection control supplies—PPE, Ribavirin, thermometers, and hand sanitizers—to affected regions.​

• Ongoing community engagement and training of healthcare workers, particularly in Ondo State.​

Leading infectious diseases physician Dr. Chikezie Adigwe (interviewed independently) stresses: “Cross-sectoral partnerships, robust disease surveillance, and sustained public education are crucial. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment can substantially reduce mortality.”

How Lassa Fever Is Transmitted

• Lassa fever is primarily transmitted by exposure to the urine or feces of infected Mastomys rats, commonly found in West Africa.​

• Human-to-human transmission can occur through contact with the blood, tissue, or bodily fluids of infected individuals, especially in healthcare settings.​

• Symptoms are often nonspecific: fever, weakness, headaches, vomiting, muscle pain. Severe or advanced cases may include bleeding, respiratory distress, swelling, and organ failure.​

Practical Advice for Readers

• Prevent infection by practicing good sanitation, storing food securely, and reducing contact with rodents.​

• If you experience persistent fever, sore throat, or vomiting (particularly in high-risk regions), seek care promptly; early diagnosis improves outcomes.​

• Use of PPE, regular handwashing, and vigilance among healthcare workers remain essential to stop nosocomial transmission.​

• The NCDC recommends year-round prevention efforts, including ongoing community engagement and surveillance.

Limitations and Conflicting Viewpoints

• Case numbers and death rates may be underreported due to limited healthcare access and surveillance gaps, especially in remote communities.​

• Despite interventions, the CFR remains high, reflecting structural and systemic challenges within Nigeria’s healthcare infrastructure.​

• Vaccine access for Lassa fever is still limited, though research programs and clinical trials are ongoing to address the gap.​

• There is an economic cost, with outbreaks disrupting agricultural activity, trade, and overall productivity.

Implications for Public Health

Lassa fever’s resurgence in Nigeria highlights the urgency of multisector, evidence-based action. Improved environmental management, expanded healthcare capacity, accelerated vaccine research, and strengthened public health messaging are essential. Stakeholders, from local communities to international agencies, must coordinate to address both immediate risks and long-term solutions.

Medical Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with qualified healthcare professionals before making any health-related decisions or changes to your treatment plan. The information presented here is based on current research and expert opinions, which may evolve as new evidence emerges.

References

1. Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention. Lassa Fever Situation Report, Epi Week 38, 2025. https://ncdc.gov.ng/themes/common/files/sitreps/bc2702d096dea7bcb5f8cb520aefba7c.pdfncdc​

2. “Lassa Fever: Death toll rises to 172 as Ondo state records highest cases.” Premium Times. October 22, 2025.​​