A severe outbreak of Lassa fever in Nigeria has claimed at least 80 lives across 11 states, with 413 confirmed cases reported since January, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC). The mortality rate stands at 19.4%.
Ondo State, in southwestern Nigeria, has been the hardest hit, accounting for 34% of cases. The outbreak has affected 63 out of Nigeria’s 774 local government areas, primarily impacting individuals aged 21 to 30, with a male-to-female ratio of 1:0.8.
Authorities cite major challenges in containing the virus, including poor healthcare-seeking behavior, high treatment costs, and limited awareness in high-risk communities. In response, the NCDC has activated a multi-sectoral incident management system, trained healthcare workers, and distributed protective equipment to combat the spread.
In 2024, Nigeria reported 214 deaths from Lassa fever. To curb this year’s outbreak, a nationwide campaign focusing on rodent control and public awareness will be launched in collaboration with organizations such as Breakthrough ACTION Nigeria (BA-N).
