The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) said on Thursday 215 people were killed by Lassa fever in the country last year.
The figure indicates an increase in the case fatality rate (CFR) to 18.7 percent from the 16.3 percent recorded during the same period in 2024.
The NCDC disclosed this in its Lassa Fever Situation Report for Epidemiological Week 52 (Dec. 22–28, 2025) published on its website.
The agency noted that the country recorded 1,148 confirmed cases out of 9,389 suspected cases during the year.
According to NCDC, 22 states and 107 Local Government Areas were affected by confirmed cases in 2025 to underscore the continued public health threat posed by the viral haemorrhagic disease.
It said that while the number of suspected and confirmed cases declined compared to 2024, the higher fatality rate remained a major concern.
“In week 52 alone, 27 new confirmed cases and nine deaths were reported across Bauchi, Ondo, Ebonyi, Taraba and Nasarawa states,” the NCDC stated.
It added that the increase from 21 cases in the previous week signalled sustained transmission in hotspot areas.
“Four states, Ondo, Bauchi, Edo and Taraba, accounted for 89 percent of all confirmed cases recorded nationwide.
“Ondo State led with 35 percent, followed by Bauchi with 26 percent, Edo with 16 percent and Taraba with 12 percent,” it added.
 said on Thursday 215 people were killed by Lassa fever in the country last year.){kind=link}