The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has confirmed 800 Lassa fever cases and 151 deaths so far in 2025, raising concerns over a worsening epidemic across the country.
The latest data shows a rise in the case fatality rate (CFR) to 18.9%, up from 17.3% during the same period last year. According to the NCDC’s epidemiological Week 27 update, 11 new confirmed cases were reported, up from nine the previous week. These cases were recorded across six states: Ondo, Edo, Kaduna, Ebonyi, Lagos, and Enugu, with three deaths reported during the week.
The outbreak continues to spread, affecting 21 states across 104 Local Government Areas. However, five states remain the main hotspots, accounting for 90% of all confirmed infections: Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba, and Ebonyi. Ondo leads with 32% of cases, followed by Bauchi at 23%, Edo at 17%, Taraba at 15%, and Ebonyi at 3%.
The affected population ranges in age from one to 96 years, with the majority aged between 21 and 30. There is a slight gender imbalance, with males outnumbering females at a ratio of 1:0.8.
While the overall number of suspected and confirmed cases has slightly decreased compared to 2024, the rising fatality rate remains a key concern for health authorities. Notably, no new infections among healthcare workers were reported in the latest week.
Lassa fever, caused by the Lassa virus, is transmitted to humans primarily through contact with the urine or droppings of infected rodents. It can also spread from person to person and causes severe hemorrhagic fever in some cases.
The disease was first identified in Nigeria’s northeastern Borno State in 1969 and has since been reported in several West African countries, including Mali, Togo, Ghana, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.
The Nigerian government declared a state of emergency for Lassa fever in January 2019, and the National Lassa Fever Technical Working Group continues to coordinate response efforts across the country.
Authorities have urged the public to avoid contact with rodents and maintain proper hygiene to reduce the risk of infection.
Georgia has officially begun dredging works for the long-awaited Anaklia Deepwater Port after the arrival of the first dredging vessel, marking a sign...
Iran said on Monday (3 August) it is not negotiating with the U.S. over reopening the Strait of Hormuz, saying current talks with Oman are focused sol...
The Pacific island nation formerly known internationally as Nauru has officially adopted the name Republic of Naoero, restoring the traditional name u...
A tourist aircraft crashed near Peru's UNESCO-listed Nazca Lines on Saturday (1 August), killing all 13 people on board, authorities said.
Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei has said Tehran is not currently involved in direct talks with Washington about reopening the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. President Donald Trump said negotiations with Iran were to begin on Monday.
U.S. President Donald Trump said late on Saturday he would hold off on a fresh attack on Iran as long as a deal could be reached quickly to halt Iran's nuclear ambitions and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Two firefighting helicopters collided while battling a major wildfire in Greece on Sunday, killing two crew members as emergency services continued efforts to contain fires fuelled by extreme heat and dry conditions across Europe.
French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu said wildfires that swept across France were now under control. Authorities warned that risks remained as Greece and Spain continued battling active blazes across parts of Europe.
The Pacific island nation formerly known internationally as Nauru has officially adopted the name Republic of Naoero, restoring the traditional name used by its people in a move to reaffirm the country's cultural identity and heritage.
France’s worst wildfire season since 1949 is stretching emergency services, raising questions about the country’s preparedness and increasing political pressure ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Police have arrested six people on suspicion of arson as prosecutors investigate dozens of wildfires that have broken out across Türkiye in recent days.
Hungary’s Paks nuclear power plant may continue operating at reduced capacity until Tuesday, temporarily easing pressure on the country’s electricity grid during an intense heatwave.
Myanmar's detained former leader Aung San Suu Kyi met with a representative of the International Committee of the Red Cross on Monday, after years of questions over the health and well-being of the 81-year-old Nobel Peace Prize winner.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment