The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed 138 deaths from Lassa fever across 15 states, with a case fatality rate (CFR) of 19.3%.

According to the agency?s latest situation report, published on its website Wednesday, 717 confirmed cases have been recorded from a total of 4,881 suspected cases between January and 4 May 2025.

The cases were reported across 93 local government areas in 18 states.

The states with reported fatalities include Taraba (34), Ondo (27), Edo (19), Bauchi (15), Ebonyi (11), Gombe (7), Plateau (5), Benue (5), Kogi (4), Nasarawa (4), Delta (2), Kaduna (2), Enugu (1), Cross River (1), and Ogun (1).

The report indicates that, as of epidemiological week 18, the number of newly confirmed cases has declined slightly, with 10 cases reported during the week, down from 11 in the previous week. The latest infections were recorded in Ondo, Edo, Bauchi, and Benue states.

Cumulatively, by week 18 of 2025, the CFR stood at 19.2%, higher than the 18.0% recorded during the same period in 2024.

Three states; Ondo, Bauchi, and Taraba?accounted for 71% of all confirmed cases, with Ondo contributing 30%, Bauchi 25%, and Taraba 16%. The remaining 28% of cases were reported from 15 other states.

The number of suspected and confirmed cases has declined compared to the same reporting period in 2024. No new infections among healthcare workers were reported during week 18.

The Centre noted that the National Lassa Fever Multi-Partner, Multi-Sectoral Incident Management System remains active, coordinating response activities at all levels.

Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness caused by the Lassa virus. The disease is primarily transmitted to humans through contact with food or household items contaminated by the urine or faeces of infected multimammate rats, the virus?s natural reservoir. (BusinessDay)

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