Nigeria's Lassa Fever Outbreak Records 18% Case Fatality Rate

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently confirmed that it closely supports Lassa fever-endemic countries in West Africa, such as Benin, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone.

As of January 19, 2025, another Lassa fever outbreak, a rare, often fatal, viral hemorrhagic fever, was confirmed in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) confirmed 54 cases of Lassa fever in Ondo, Edo, and Bauchi from December 30, 2024, to January 5, 2025. The NCDC also reported 10 related fatalities, resulting in a Case Fatality Rate of 18.5%.

The NCDC continues to address the ongoing Lassa fever outbreak, which coincides with the peak season. Lassa virus was first identified in 1969 in Nigeria.

In 2024, Nigeria recorded over 1,187 confirmed cases across 28 states.

In December 2024, Dr. Jide Idris, Director-General of the NCDC, announced that the Emergency Operations Centre had been activated for Lassa fever, and the risk assessment was classified as high.

In the United States, the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services confirmed a resident died from Lassa fever in October 2024. There have been eight travel-associated cases of Lassa fever in the U.S. in the past 55 years.

As of January 21, 2025, Lassa fever vaccine candidates have not been approved for human use.