The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has identified Ondo, Bauchi, and Edo states as the epicentres of the ongoing Lassa fever outbreak, accounting for more than 70 percent of all confirmed cases reported so far in 2025.
Dr. Jide Idris, Director-General of the NCDC, made this known while briefing journalists on Wednesday in Abuja.
Idris revealed that the three states contributed 71 per cent of the 660 confirmed Lassa fever cases recorded between January and the end of March 2025—Ondo accounting for 30 per cent, Bauchi 25 per cent, and Edo 16 per cent.
“So far, 122 deaths have been recorded,” he stated, “resulting in a case fatality rate of 18.5 per cent—higher than the 17.5 per cent recorded during the same period in 2024.”
The NCDC, according to Idris, has intensified its nationwide response through an activated Incident Management System at the national level.
“As the cases surge in these epicentre states, our response is focused on early detection, case management, risk communication, and community engagement,” he said.
He added that “the transmission remains active in multiple local government areas, with 28 states and 125 LGAs affected this year.”
He stressed the importance of “early presentation to health facilities to reduce fatalities.”
