Nigeria Battles Deadly Lassa Fever Outbreak as Death Toll Surpasses 160
October 14, 2025 — Nigerian health authorities are grappling with a severe Lassa fever outbreak that has now claimed more than 160 lives in 2025, with public health officials warning that the situation continues to deteriorate across multiple states.
Rising Death Toll Prompts National Emergency Response
According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), the country recorded 162 deaths from Lassa fever as of late August (epidemiology week 35), a sharp increase from the 127 deaths reported by mid-April. Weekly new confirmed cases continue to register in double digits, indicating sustained transmission across affected regions.
On October 13, 2025, ProMED—a global disease monitoring system—issued an alert specifically highlighting Nigeria’s “increased case-fatality rate,” underscoring the growing severity of the outbreak.
Seven States Bear the Brunt of the Crisis
The outbreak has hit hardest in seven Nigerian states:
- Ondo
- Edo
- Bauchi
- Taraba
- Ebonyi
- Nasarawa
- Kogi
These regions account for the majority of confirmed cases and deaths, prompting coordinated emergency interventions from federal and state health authorities.
Emergency Operations Activated Nationwide
The NCDC has activated emergency operations centers and incident management systems to coordinate a comprehensive multi-state response. Current emergency measures include:
- Distribution of Ribavirin (an antiviral medication used to treat Lassa fever)
- Deployment of personal protective equipment (PPE) to healthcare facilities
- Active disease surveillance and contact tracing
- Enhanced infection prevention and control protocols
- Proactive state-level public health interventions
Healthcare Workers at Risk
The outbreak has also taken a toll on Nigeria’s healthcare workforce, with at least two healthcare workers confirmed infected—a stark reminder of the occupational hazards faced by medical personnel on the front lines of this crisis.
Understanding the Numbers
Open-source intelligence from social media platforms, corroborating official NCDC and WHO Africa Regional Office reports, provides additional context on the outbreak’s trajectory:
- Cumulative 290 laboratory-confirmed cases and 53 deaths were recorded between December 30, 2024, and January 26, 2025, representing an 18.3% case-fatality rate
- During the week of January 20-26, 2025, alone, health authorities confirmed 76 new cases with 12 deaths
- The case-fatality rate means nearly one in five infected patients are dying from the disease
What is Lassa Fever?
Lassa fever is a viral hemorrhagic illness transmitted to humans through contact with food or household items contaminated by infected rodents. The disease is endemic to West Africa and typically sees increased transmission during dry season months when human-rodent contact intensifies.
Symptoms can range from mild fever and malaise to severe complications including bleeding, respiratory distress, and organ failure. Early treatment with the antiviral drug Ribavirin significantly improves survival outcomes.
Public Health Outlook
The NCDC continues to urge state governments to maintain heightened surveillance and implement aggressive rodent control measures. Health officials are also calling on residents in affected areas to practice strict hygiene, store food in rodent-proof containers, and seek immediate medical attention if symptoms develop.
As Nigeria enters the peak season for Lassa fever transmission, authorities warn that sustained vigilance and community cooperation will be essential to bringing the outbreak under control.
This report is based on official data from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), WHO Africa Regional Office (WHO AFRO), and ProMED disease monitoring alerts.