The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed that Lassa fever and meningitis outbreaks have resulted in 366 deaths across Nigeria, raising serious public health concerns.
Between January 1 and May 18, 2025, the country recorded 733 confirmed cases of Lassa fever from 5,118 suspected cases across 18 states and 95 local government areas (LGAs). Of these, 141 deaths were attributed to the disease, representing a case fatality rate of 19.2 per cent — a slight increase from the 18.3 per cent reported during the same period in 2024.
“Cumulatively in week 20 of 2025, 141 deaths have been reported with a case fatality rate of 19.2 per cent,” the NCDC stated in its latest situation report. “This is higher than the CFR for the same period in 2024.”
The report also revealed a recent spike in Lassa fever cases in epidemiological week 20, with 13 new infections recorded in Edo, Ondo, and Benue states — a notable increase from the three cases reported the previous week.
Three states accounted for the bulk of infections: Ondo (30%), Bauchi (25%), and Edo (17%), while the remaining 28 per cent were distributed among 15 other states. The most affected age group was 21–30 years, with a median age of 30. The male-to-female ratio stood at 1:0.8. Fortunately, no new infections among health workers were recorded in the week under review.
To manage the ongoing outbreak, the NCDC has activated the national multi-partner, multi-sectoral Lassa fever Incident Management System.
In a separate report on meningitis, the NCDC disclosed that between September 30, 2024, and April 6, 2025, there were 192 confirmed cases out of 2,911 suspected infections across 24 states and 173 LGAs. A total of 225 deaths were recorded during the period, with a case fatality rate of 7.7 per cent.
Children aged 5 to 14 were the most affected by the disease, with males accounting for 60 per cent of the total cases. The agency noted that the majority of suspected cases (97%) were from 10 states: Kebbi (1,423), Sokoto (450), Katsina (302), Jigawa (160), Yobe (165), Gombe (77), Borno (84), Bauchi (81), Adamawa (38), and Kano (38).
In response, the NCDC said a national Emergency Operations Centre has been activated in collaboration with relevant agencies and partners, including the Federal Ministry of Health, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency.
“We continue to lead the national response and provide technical support to the states, both on-site and remotely,” the centre noted. “Weekly coordination meetings are being held with the affected states to enhance the response and ensure timely interventions.”
The NCDC emphasized its commitment to strengthening surveillance, case management, and prevention efforts, especially in high-burden areas.