A deadly Lassa fever outbreak has killed 138 people in Nigeria since the start of 2025, with 717 confirmed cases reported, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC). The case fatality rate has surged to 19.2%, prompting serious concern among health authorities. The NCDC labeled the rising death toll as “alarming,” urging swift and coordinated public health measures to prevent further spread.

So far, 18 out of Nigeria’s 36 states have been affected by this viral haemorrhagic disease. Lassa fever is primarily transmitted through exposure to food or household items contaminated with urine or feces from infected Mastomys rats. The disease can also spread from person to person, especially in healthcare settings where infection control practices are inadequate, raising the risk of community-level transmission.

The World Health Organisation highlights that early diagnosis and supportive care, including rehydration and symptom-based treatment, are vital to improving survival chances. Health officials have urged citizens to maintain hygiene, avoid contact with rodents, and immediately seek medical help if symptoms like fever, vomiting, or bleeding occur.