Nigeria has recorded 221 deaths from Lassa fever since the beginning of the year, with health authorities reporting that the outbreak has spread across 23 states and continues to pose a serious public health challenge.

Nigeria has recorded 221 deaths from Lassa fever since the beginning of the year, as the viral disease continues to spread across the country, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) announced.

In its latest epidemiological update, the NCDC said the outbreak has affected 111 local government areas in 23 states.

Health authorities confirmed 31 new cases during the past week, bringing the cumulative number of infections higher as the outbreak continues.

The agency reported that the case fatality rate has increased to 24 percent, up from 18.7 percent during the same period last year, indicating a rise in the severity of the outbreak.

According to the NCDC, people aged 21 to 30 remain the most affected group, while confirmed cases range in age from 1 to 93 years.

Lassa fever is a viral hemorrhagic illness primarily transmitted to humans through contact with food or household items contaminated by the urine or droppings of infected Mastomys rats. Human-to-human transmission can also occur, particularly in healthcare settings without adequate infection prevention measures.

Nigeria recorded 190 deaths from Lassa fever throughout 2025. The Nigerian government declared a national public health emergency over the disease on 23 January 2019, and surveillance and response efforts have continued since then. (ILKHA)