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.
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Iran and the U.S. exchanged threats on Tuesday, as U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned Tehran to expect the “most intense day" of attacks so far. Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said “anyone who entertains the illusion of destroying Iran knows nothing of history."
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China has urged Afghanistan and Pakistan to resolve their dispute through dialogue after Chinese envoy Yue Xiaoyong met Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, as fighting between the two neighbours entered its eleventh day.
Entry and exit across the state border between Azerbaijan and Iran for all types of cargo vehicles, including those in transit, will resume on 9 March, according to a statement by the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan.
Iranian civilian and military officials have pledged their obedience to the new leader, Ayatollah Seyed Mojtaba Khamenei, with President Masoud Pezeshkian saying his leadership “will herald a new era of dignity and authority for the Iranian nation.”.
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Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 11th of March, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Iran and Israel continue to exchange missile and drone strikes across the Middle East - all the latest updates throughout the day on AnewZ
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Waltz, has addressed the U.N. Security Council, saying the world must consider how effective its engagement with the Taliban-run country is as millions face hunger.
British MPs have rejected a proposal to introduce an Australia-style ban on social media for under-16s, opting instead to give ministers flexible powers to impose restrictions on platforms.
Australia has granted humanitarian visas to five Iranian women footballers who sought asylum, fearing persecution after refusing to sing their national anthem at an Asia Cup match.
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