By Roving Reporters
Ondo State has once again emerged as the epicentre of Lassa fever in Nigeria, following the confirmation of 11 new cases by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).
According to the agency’s latest epidemiological report (Week 28), the newly recorded cases were detected across Ondo, Edo, and Benue States.
However, Ondo alone continues to bear the brunt of the outbreak, contributing a staggering 32 per cent of all confirmed Lassa fever cases nationwide in 2025.
Ondo alone contributed 32 per cent of the cases, followed by Bauchi (23%), Edo (17%), Taraba (14%), and Ebonyi (3%).
This year alone, Nigeria has recorded 811 confirmed cases of Lassa fever and 152 deaths, translating to a disturbing Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 18.7 per cent — up from 17.3 per cent during the same period last year.
While 21 states across 105 local government areas have reported infections, five states — Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba, and Ebonyi — account for a combined 89 per cent of all reported cases.
Epidemiological data shows that the 21–30 age group remains the most affected, with a male-to-female case ratio of 1:0.8.
Despite a recent drop in suspected and confirmed cases compared to last year, experts warn that complacency could worsen the situation.
The NCDC says its multi-partner, multi-sectoral Lassa Fever Technical Working Group (TWG) is actively coordinating response efforts nationwide.
Still, the situation remains dire in endemic states like Ondo, where rodent-infested environments and poor sanitation continue to fuel the disease’s spread.
Lassa fever is primarily transmitted through contact with food or household items contaminated with rodent urine or faeces.
