Nigeria has recorded 95 deaths and 509 confirmed cases of Lassa fever since the start of 2025, affecting 70 local government areas.
Additionally, 627 measles cases have been documented across 30 states and 213 LGAs within the same period.
The Nigerian Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), in its latest Week 8 situation report released on Wednesday, confirmed that Lassa fever cases have been detected in 12 states, including Bauchi, Ondo, Edo, Taraba, Ebonyi, Plateau, Benue, and Kogi.
It also reported that a health worker was among those infected.
According to NCDC Director General, Dr. Jide Idris, the number of cases this year has significantly declined compared to the 2,157 cases recorded in January 2024.
Providing an update on measles, he noted that between February 10 and 16, laboratory tests confirmed 112 cases, representing 17.86 percent of suspected cases, with no reported deaths.
For comparison, the same period in 2024 saw 23 confirmed deaths from measles, with a case fatality rate of 0.96 percent. The states with the highest number of suspected measles cases include Katsina (102), Jigawa (84), Akwa Ibom (56), Kebbi (52), and Enugu (32), accounting for more than half of the national total.
An analysis of the data further revealed that 81.3 percent of confirmed measles cases involved individuals who had not received any dose of the vaccine.
Additionally, 46.4 percent of confirmed cases were found in children aged between nine and 59 months.
As of January 31, measles outbreaks were ongoing in 38 LGAs across 18 states, with Katsina having the highest number of affected areas (seven LGAs). Other states with multiple affected LGAs include Adamawa, Gombe, Bauchi, and Sokoto, each reporting three affected LGAs.
Dr. Idris reiterated that vaccination remains the most effective strategy for preventing measles. He explained that the Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) vaccine is administered in two doses—at nine months and 15 months—based on the guidelines set by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA).
He further emphasized the importance of strengthening routine immunization, particularly in high-risk areas, as well as ensuring early detection, rapid response to cases, and extensive public awareness campaigns to promote vaccination.
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