The death toll from the ongoing Lassa fever outbreak in Nigeria has reached 127, public health authorities reported on Tuesday.
Since the outbreak began in January, a total of 674 confirmed cases have been identified out of 4,025 suspected cases, according to a statement from the Nigerian Center for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).
Eighteen of the country’s 36 states have been affected by this viral hemorrhagic disease this year, with the southern states of Ondo and Edo, as well as the northern state of Bauchi, accounting for over 70% of the confirmed cases, the NCDC noted.
The agency estimates the fatality rate at 18.8%, slightly higher than the 18.5% recorded during the same period in 2024. Young adults aged 21 to 30 are the most impacted, with a median age of infection of 30 years. Additionally, the data reveals that men are more frequently affected than women, with a ratio of 10 men for every 8 women.
The NCDC has pinpointed several significant challenges, including poor health-seeking behavior, high treatment costs in certain regions, and limited awareness within the communities most affected. A multisectoral incident management system has been activated to coordinate national response efforts.
In 2024, Nigeria reported 214 deaths from Lassa fever, according to the NCDC.
Lassa fever primarily spreads through food or household items contaminated with the urine or feces of rodents. Human transmission occurs through direct contact with the saliva, urine, or droppings of these animals.
