NCDC reports 366 deaths from lassa fever, meningitis across 24 states

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has disclosed that 366 people have died from Lassa fever and meningitis outbreaks in the country, underscoring persistent challenges in public health management.

Between January 1 and May 18, 2025, the NCDC confirmed 733 cases of Lassa fever out of 5,118 suspected infections spread across 18 states and 95 local government areas.

“Cumulatively in week 20, 2025, 141 deaths have been reported with a case fatality rate of 19.2 per cent, which is higher than the CFR for the same period in 2024 (18.3 per cent). In total for 2025, 18 states have recorded at least one confirmed case across 95 LGAs,” the NCDC stated in its latest Lassa fever situation report.

The data reveals a sharp uptick in Lassa fever infections during epidemiological week 20, with 13 new cases emerging from Edo, Ondo, and Benue states—an increase from just three cases reported in the previous week.

Further analysis by the NCDC highlighted that “72 per cent of all confirmed Lassa fever cases were reported from three states: Ondo (30 per cent), Bauchi (25 per cent), and Edo (17 per cent). The remaining 28 per cent of cases were spread across 15 other states.”

The report also noted that the most affected age group is between 21 and 30 years, with a median age of 30. The gender breakdown of confirmed cases showed a male-to-female ratio of 1:0.8. Notably, there were no new infections among healthcare workers during the week under review. Despite the increase in confirmed cases, the agency said there has been a decline in both suspected and confirmed Lassa fever cases compared to the same period in 2024.

To ensure a comprehensive response, the national Lassa fever multi-partner, multi-sectoral Incident Management System has been activated at all levels.

Regarding meningitis, the NCDC reported 192 confirmed cases between September 30, 2024, and April 6, 2025, from 2,911 suspected infections across 24 states and 173 LGAs. The meningitis outbreak accounted for 225 deaths during this period, with a case fatality rate of 7.7 per cent.

“97 per cent of all suspected cases are reported from 10 states – Kebbi (1,423), Katsina (302), Jigawa (160), Yobe (165), Gombe (77), Sokoto (450), Borno (84), Adamawa (38), Kano (38), and Bauchi (81),” the agency reported.

The most affected demographic in the meningitis outbreak has been children aged 5 to 14 years, with males comprising 60 per cent of all cases.

In response to the outbreaks, the NCDC has activated a national multi-sectoral Emergency Operations Centre. This centre works in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, and other development partners to coordinate interventions.

Weekly meetings are held with states impacted by these outbreaks to ensure a unified response strategy. The NCDC reaffirmed its commitment to leading the national response, providing both on-site and remote technical support, especially to the hardest-hit states. It also pledged to continue bolstering preparedness and response capacities at the state and local levels.