The recent infections emerged from Bauchi, Ondo, Edo, and Taraba states, with Ondo reporting the highest number of cases. The NCDC’s Lassa Fever Situation Report for December 1–7, 2025, indicated that eight deaths during the week raised the weekly Case Fatality Rate (CFR) to 24.2 percent, contributing to an overall CFR of 18.2 percent for the year—higher than the 16.5 percent recorded during the same period in 2024.
The agency noted that Lassa fever cases have been reported in 21 states and 103 local councils, but four states—Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, and Taraba—accounted for 89 percent of all confirmed infections. Young adults aged 21 to 30 years were most affected, although the virus has struck individuals across all age groups, from one to 96 years old. The report also showed a slightly higher incidence among males compared to females, with no new infections among healthcare workers during the week under review.
To curb the outbreak, the NCDC continues to coordinate a national multi-partner response through its Lassa fever Technical Working Group. Efforts include behavioural assessments in high-burden states, healthcare worker training, infection prevention and control audits, community sensitisation, deployment of rapid response teams, and the strengthening of laboratory and treatment capacities in affected regions.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s pharmaceutical sector is seeking to strengthen its role in malaria control and production. The National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD) revealed that the country currently has only one World Health Organization (WHO)-prequalified antimalarial product, produced by Swiss Pharma Nigeria. The disclosure came during a four-day Technical Support and Capacity Workshop for pharmaceutical companies, organised under the National Malaria Elimination Programme with support from the World Bank.
The workshop, held in Lagos, aimed to equip local manufacturers with the technical knowledge to meet WHO prequalification (PQ) standards for antimalarial medicines. Participants were guided through the prequalification process, including documentation requirements, bioavailability and bioequivalence studies, and laboratory quality assurance standards. The initiative seeks to position Nigerian manufacturers to tap into the $161 million global WHO antimalarial market.
Dr Obi Adigwe, Director-General of NIPRD, represented by his Technical Adviser Dr Mercy Aboh, highlighted key challenges facing local manufacturers, including limited awareness, funding constraints, outdated equipment, and weak technical capacity. While acknowledging that the WHO PQ process is capital-intensive, Adigwe stressed that the workshop exposed participants to funding platforms and government-backed support mechanisms designed to overcome financial barriers.
Okoko Okefu Oyale, Director and Project Manager of the IMPACT project under the National Malaria Initiative, noted that WHO prequalification would allow Nigerian manufacturers to compete both locally and internationally. Meanwhile, the lead consultant on pharmaceutical industry technical support, Adesola Arowolo, said the workshop was structured to demystify the prequalification process and encourage companies to embark on the journey.
Participants, including Dr Christopher Akunyili of Mecure, described the training as an eye-opener, emphasizing its value in understanding the broader strategic and economic benefits of WHO prequalification beyond mere regulatory compliance.
With rising Lassa fever cases threatening public health and a pressing need to expand local antimalarial production, Nigeria faces a dual challenge: managing infectious disease outbreaks while building robust pharmaceutical capacity to strengthen its role in global health markets.