In parts of Nigeria, a fever arrives not with alarm bells but in quiet discomfort, yet it has killed over 140 people this year alone. According to Premium Times, the Lassa fever outbreak has now spread to 18 states, with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) confirming 739 cases and a fatality ratio nearing 20%.
Lassa fever continues to take lives, particularly in the country's middle belt and South-West. Premium Times reports that the disease is entrenched in five key states, but more broadly, public health capacity and awareness remain crucial.
- 142 people have died from Lassa fever in Nigeria in 2025
- Confirmed cases total 739 across 18 states
- Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba, and Ebonyi are the worst-affected
- The case fatality rate has increased from last year to 19.1%
- NCDC is promoting hygiene protocols and early detection
As Lassa fever persists, it becomes more than a rural health issue; it's a national one. Timely access to care and trust in public information could be life-saving.
