Nigeria: Deaths from Lassa Fever Rise to 166 Since the Start of the Year
The health crisis in Nigeria continues with 166 deaths reported from Lassa fever since the beginning of 2025, according to the latest report from the Nigerian Center for Disease Control.
The center noted that these fatalities are part of 895 confirmed cases of the disease tracked from January to September 2025, across 106 local areas in 21 out of Nigeria’s 36 states.
The report revealed that 90% of the confirmed cases are concentrated in five major states: Edo, Ebonyi, Ondo, Bauchi, and Taraba, emphasizing that Ondo State alone recorded nearly a third of the national fatalities.
The center attributed the rise in fatalities to delays in patients reaching healthcare facilities, lack of awareness of preventive measures, and high treatment costs that deter early medical consultations.
Lassa fever is a viral hemorrhagic disease that transmits to humans through food or domestic utensils contaminated with rodent excreta. It shares some symptoms with illnesses such as malaria and Ebola, making early diagnosis crucial in mitigating its spread.
