Lassa Fever Outbreak in Nigeria Claims 172 Lives in 2025

In Nigeria, the death toll from the Lassa fever outbreak has risen to 172 since the beginning of this year. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) said that 924 confirmed cases out of 8,041 suspected cases were reported from January to October this year.

About Lassa Fever:

• Causative Agent: Lassa virus, first identified in Nigeria in 1969; belongs to the Arenaviridae family.
• Zoonotic Disease: Humans are primarily infected via contact with infected Mastomys rats (multimammate rats), which shed the virus in urine and feces.
• Transmission:
  • Indirect: Contaminated food or household items.
  • Direct: Contact with infected rats.
  • Human-to-human transmission is rare, via contact with blood, urine, feces, or bodily fluids of infected persons.

Symptoms and Severity:

• About 80% of infections are mild or asymptomatic.
• Severe cases (≈20%) involve multiple organs including liver, spleen, and kidneys, potentially leading to death.

Significance:
Lassa fever remains a public health challenge in Nigeria due to high rodent population, environmental sanitation issues, and low awareness in endemic communities, emphasizing the need for early detection, hygiene measures, and rapid medical intervention.

Sources: AIR & WHO