The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported a significant outbreak of Lassa fever in the first quarter of 2025, with 118 deaths and 645 confirmed cases across 91 local government areas in 33 states.
The outbreak has affected various states, with 20 healthcare workers infected in Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba, Ebonyi, Gombe, Benue, and Ogun states. The NCDC has noted that treatment centers are facing manpower shortages, and patients are often delaying seeking care, resorting to ineffective self-medication and unorthodox practices.
To combat the outbreak, the NCDC has activated the Lassa Fever National Emergency Operations Centre (LF-EOC) at Response Level, enabling improved coordination among stakeholders. Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) have been deployed to 10 states, including Kogi, Plateau, Ondo, Edo, Bauchi, Ebonyi, Taraba, Benue, Gombe, and Nasarawa.
The NCDC has distributed essential medical supplies, including personal protective equipment and treatment medications, to affected states. Targeted, state-specific advisories have been issued to guide prevention and control efforts.
Despite these efforts, challenges persist, including weak community-level surveillance, inadequate resources for treatment and contact tracing, and delayed case detection.
The NCDC Director General, Dr. Jide Idris, has emphasized the need for collective action to prevent Lassa fever. He urged individuals to prioritize environmental hygiene practices, prevent rats from accessing homes and food, and seek medical care immediately if suspected of having Lassa fever ¹ ².