In its Lassa Fever Situation Report for Epidemiological Week 51 (December 15–21, 2025), the agency disclosed that out of 9,270 suspected cases reported across the country, 1,119 were laboratory-confirmed, resulting in 206 fatalities. This places the case fatality rate (CFR) at 18.4 percent, higher than the 16.4 percent recorded during the same period in 2024.
The report revealed that the burden of the disease remained heavily concentrated in four states. Ondo State accounted for 35 percent of confirmed cases, followed by Bauchi (25 percent), Edo (16 percent), and Taraba (12 percent), together making up 88 percent of all confirmed infections nationwide.
Data from the NCDC showed a decline in confirmed cases toward the end of the year, with numbers dropping from 28 cases in Epidemiological Week 50 to 21 cases by Week 52. The infections recorded during this period were reported in Edo, Bauchi, Kogi, Ebonyi, Plateau, Ondo, and Taraba states. Overall, at least one confirmed case was recorded in 21 states, spanning 105 local government areas.
While the total number of suspected and confirmed cases in 2025 was lower than figures reported during the same period in 2024, the severity of outcomes remained a concern. Young adults were identified as the most affected group, particularly those aged between 21 and 30 years. The disease affected Nigerians aged 1 to 96 years, with a median age of 30. Males were slightly more affected than females, at a ratio of 1 to 0.8.
The NCDC noted that no new healthcare worker infections were recorded during Week 51, a development it described as encouraging.
Explaining the high fatality rate, the Centre attributed deaths largely to late presentation of patients at health facilities, poor health-seeking behaviour, and the high cost of treatment, especially in high-burden communities. It stressed that early detection and prompt treatment remain crucial to improving survival outcomes.
During the reporting week, 16 patients were receiving care in treatment centres, while contact tracing continued nationwide, with 77 contacts actively under follow-up.
The NCDC also highlighted several response measures implemented throughout 2025, including the deployment of 10 National Rapid Response Teams, targeted training and behavioural assessments in hotspot states, environmental response campaigns, and strengthened cross-border collaboration within the ECOWAS region to curb the spread of the disease.