Hold up, Naija! While the number of Lassa fever cases has dipped slightly, the death toll is still climbing. What’s going on? We break down the latest report from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and what you need to know to stay safe.
- Slight Drop in Cases: Confirmed Lassa fever cases saw a bit of a decrease in the fourth week of 2025.
- Death Toll Still Rising: Sadly, the number of deaths from Lassa fever keeps climbing.
- Hotspot States: Ondo, Edo, and Bauchi are still the areas with the most cases.
- NCDC Response: The NCDC is working to control the outbreak, but challenges remain.
- What You Can Do: Learn simple steps to protect yourself and your family.
Lassa Fever: A Mixed Bag of News
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) dropped some news: Lassa fever cases are down a little. In the fourth week of 2025, they recorded 76 confirmed cases. But here’s the thing – the death toll is still rising. As of the latest count, 53 people have died nationwide.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
Let’s break down the stats. So far in 2025, there have been 290 confirmed cases and over a thousand suspected cases across 10 states. The case fatality rate (CFR) is around 18.3%. That means nearly 1 in 5 people who get confirmed Lassa fever are dying. That’s a slight improvement from last year, but still way too high!
Where’s the Fever Hitting Hardest?
Three states are bearing the brunt of this outbreak:
- Ondo State: Leads the pack with 37% of all cases.
- Edo State: Comes in second at 21%.
- Bauchi State: Rounding out the top three with 17%.
The disease has spread across 54 Local Government Areas, and it’s mostly affecting young adults between 21 and 30 years old.
Why Are People Still Dying?
The NCDC says a few things are contributing to the rising death toll:
- Late Presentation: People are not getting to the hospital fast enough.
- Poor Health-Seeking Behaviour: Some people avoid hospitals because treatment is too expensive.
- Poor Sanitation: Dirty environments attract the rodents that spread the disease.
What’s Being Done About It?
The NCDC is on it! They’ve activated a special team to coordinate efforts. Here’s what they’re doing:
- Sending rapid response teams to affected areas.
- Educating communities about the risks.
- Tracking down people who may have been exposed.
- Training healthcare workers.
- Supplying treatment centers with equipment and medicine.
Challenges Remain
Even with all these efforts, the NCDC is facing some serious challenges:
- People in high-risk communities don’t know enough about the disease.
- Cases are not being reported quickly enough.
How to Protect Yourself
Here’s the deal: Lassa fever is spread by rodents. So, keeping your environment clean is key. Here’s what you can do:
- Keep your house clean.
- Store food in sealed containers.
- If you have symptoms like fever, joint pain, or bleeding, see a doctor right away!
Lassa Fever: A Nigerian Problem
Lassa fever is a yearly problem in Nigeria. It was first discovered way back in 1969 in Lassa, Borno State. Symptoms can be mild, like a fever, or severe, like bleeding. About 20% of cases are fatal, especially if treatment is delayed.
Across West Africa, hundreds of thousands get infected every year. Besides the fever and vomiting, about 25% of survivors experience hearing loss. There’s currently no vaccine, but scientists are working on it!