STORIES BY BLESSING OTOBONG-GABRIEL
Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, NCDC, has confirmed 10 new cases of Lassa fever in Ondo and Edo States, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 781 in 2025.
Unfortunately, the disease has claimed 145 lives nationwide, with a Case Fatality Rate, CFR, of 18.6%, which is higher than the 17.6% recorded during the same period in 2024.
The latest cases were recorded in Ondo and Edo States, two of the hardest-hit areas in the country.
Meanwhile, the Case Fatality Rate now stands at 18.6%, higher than the 17.6% seen during the same period last year.
NCDC revealed that 91% of this year’s confirmed cases came from five states, Ondo, Edo, Bauchi, Taraba, and Ebonyi, with Ondo State alone responsible for nearly a third.
Early detection and community awareness remain critical to saving lives, The agency emphasised in a statement issued on July 5.
To curb the spread, it has rolled out emergency measures, including rapid response teams, national clinical training webinars and intensive risk communication efforts in hotspot communities. A clinical trial is also underway in Ondo State, while over 3,300 contacts have been traced nationwide.
Despite a slight drop in overall infections compared to 2024, NCDC warns that late presentation, poor hygiene and low health-seeking behaviour are still driving fatal outcomes.
Acknowledging that with partners like the World Health Organisation, WHO, and U.S CDC, Nigeria is stepping up its response with strengthened treatment protocols, community engagement and infection prevention strategies.
