Nigeria is facing a worsening Lassa fever outbreak that has now spread across 21 states and 106 Local Government Areas (LGAs), with 906 confirmed cases and 168 deaths, according to the latest public health reports and media briefings citing the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC). The outbreak’s concentration in a handful of high-burden states, rising case-fatality ratios and continuing community transmission are testing the country’s disease surveillance, laboratory and clinical treatment capacity.
This comprehensive briefing explains what the numbers mean, where the hotspots are, why the outbreak is proving deadly, what authorities are doing, and what Nigerians must do now to protect themselves.
What the data show
Confirmed cases: 906
Deaths: 168
Geographic spread: 21 states and 106 LGAs affected.
High-burden states: Ondo, Edo, Taraba and Bauchi account for roughly two-thirds of confirmed infections.
Age and sex profile: The most affected age group is 21–30 years; male-to-female ratio is about 1:0.8
Case fatality rate (CFR): Around 18–19 percent significantly higher than the desired sub-10 percent target for managed Lassa outbreaks.
These figures are drawn from the NCDC situation reports (Epi Week data) and recent media updates. NCDC’s Epi Week reports show thousands of suspected cases under investigation, with hundreds confirmed by laboratory testing to date.
Four states Ondo, Edo, Taraba and Bauchi account for about 67 percent of all confirmed infections. Ondo State has been particularly hard hit and remains the main driver of new confirmed cases. Health authorities in these states have reported clusters of hospitalised patients and several deaths, placing pressure on local treatment centres.
Other states across the south, southeast and north-central are recording sporadic cases, and because Lassa fever is endemic in Nigeria, the risk of further spread remains high unless public health measures are stepped up.
Several interlocking factors explain the elevated CFR:
iLate presentation to health facilities. Lassa fever is much more treatable when patients present early; delays allow the disease to progress to severe stages. Health workers and community leaders say many patients first try home remedies, see traditional healers or access unregulated clinics before attending hospitals.
Limited access to ribavirin and supportive care. Ribavirin, an antiviral shown to reduce mortality when administered early, must be available and given promptly. Many rural hospitals have limited stocks or lack the capacity to administer intensive supportive care.
Weak infection prevention and control (IPC). Nosocomial (healthcare-associated) transmission has been reported globally and historically in Nigeria. Poor IPC protocols put healthcare workers and other patients at risk and can worsen outbreak dynamics.
Surveillance and diagnostic delays. Confirmatory tests require laboratory capacity that is not evenly distributed; samples must sometimes be sent to reference labs, delaying diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
NCDC and state health officials have repeatedly warned that the combination of delayed care-seeking and constrained clinical resources is driving avoidable deaths.
The NCDC has mobilised rapid response teams, enhanced surveillance, scaled up testing where possible and issued public advisories. Specific actions include:
Deploying rapid response teams to hotspots to support contact tracing, case management and community engagement.
Strengthening laboratory networks and sample transport to accelerate confirmation of suspected cases.
Activating emergency operations centres in affected states and coordinating with state ministries of health to ramp up treatment capacity.
Intensifying risk communication: radio and local campaigns advising on hygiene, safe food storage, rodent control and early care-seeking.
Recommending strict infection prevention and control in health facilities, including use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and safe handling of patient specimens.
State governments in Ondo, Edo and other impacted areas have opened additional treatment beds, stocked up on essential medicines, and called for national support. NCDC continues to liaise with partners for technical and material assistance.
Lassa fever is primarily transmitted through contact with rodent excreta (urine and faeces) especially the Mastomys rat and secondarily via infected people in close contact. Practical, immediate steps that households and communities can take include:
Store food in rodent-proof containers and avoid leaving food uncovered.
Keep homes and compound areas clean; remove refuse and potential rat nesting sites.
Use traps and, where appropriate, engage pest-control services to reduce rodent populations.
Wash hands frequently and avoid direct contact with bodily fluids of sick people.
Seek medical care promptly for fever, severe headache, sore throat, vomiting, bleeding or unexplained weakness and clearly inform health workers about possible exposure to rodents or sick contacts.
Avoid traditional health care where possible for suspected Lassa cases; health facilities can provide antiviral therapy (ribavirin) and supportive care.
Healthcare workers should follow IPC protocols strictly: wear PPE, isolate suspected cases and follow safe lab specimen handling procedures.
Early detection and treatment are vital. Ribavirin is most effective when given early in the course of illness.
The outbreak highlights long-standing vulnerabilities:
Underfunded primary care and uneven distribution of treatment centres.
Insufficient laboratory capacity in many states, causing diagnostic delays.
Limited stocks of specific antivirals in peripheral hospitals.
Weak routine surveillance in rural settings where cases often emerge.
Experts are urging the government and partners to invest not only in outbreak response but also in durable systems: community education, strengthened primary healthcare, regional lab networks, and rodent-control programmes.
NCDC is coordinating with international partners, NGOs and UN agencies for technical support, risk communication materials and logistics. The World Health Organization (WHO) and partners typically support case management guidelines, lab reagents, PPE and training for front-line workers during such outbreaks.
A Lassa fever outbreak with 906 confirmed cases and 168 deaths is a serious public health emergency in Nigeria. The high case-fatality rate signals delays in care-seeking, supply and capacity shortfalls, and the need for rapid, coordinated action. Containing this outbreak will require fast diagnosis, early antiviral treatment, strict infection control in hospitals, community engagement to reduce rodent exposure, and stronger public health systems to prevent recurrent surges.
For now, the message is urgent and simple: clean up, seal food, trap rats, and seek medical care early if you fall sick. Early action can and does save lives.
