NCDC Confirms 34 Deaths in Taraba State, Leading the Fight Against Lassa Fever in 2025

TARABA, Nigeria - The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported that Taraba State is currently at the forefront of Lassa fever fatalities in 2025, with 34 deaths among a total of 138 nationwide. 

This information was included in the latest situation report released by the NCDC on Wednesday, detailing cases from January 1 to May 4, 2025.

The agency noted that there have been 717 confirmed Lassa fever cases from 4,881 suspected ones across 93 local government areas in 18 states. Fatalities occurred in 15 states: Taraba (34), Ondo (27), Edo (19), Bauchi (15), Ebonyi (11), Gombe (seven), Plateau (five), Benue (five), Kogi (four), Nasarawa (four), Delta (two), Kaduna (two), Ogun (one), Enugu (one), and Cross River (one).

The overall Case Fatality Rate (CFR) is recorded at 19.3 percent, slightly exceeding the CFR for the same period in 2024, which was 18.0 percent.

"In week 18, new confirmed cases dropped from 11 in epi week 17 to 10, reported in Ondo, Edo, Bauchi, and Benue States," the report indicated.

Additional news includes incidents such as two fatalities and injuries from clashes between farmers and herders in Taraba, comments on youth inclusion in governance by Okpe regarding Adodo's NCDC appointment, and eight deaths linked to a suspected militia attack along the Taraba-Benue border.

It was noted that 71 percent of all Lassa fever cases this year originated from Ondo, Bauchi, and Taraba States, with Ondo responsible for 30 percent, Bauchi 25 percent, and Taraba 16 percent. The remaining 28 percent of cases were spread across 15 other states.

The report emphasized that the most affected age group is between 21 and 30 years, with ages ranging from one to 96 years. The median age of confirmed cases is 30 years, and the male-to-female ratio is 1:0.8.

The NCDC also confirmed that no new healthcare workers were affected in reporting week 18. Furthermore, the National Lassa Fever Multi-Partner, Multi-Sectoral Incident Management System is still operational and actively coordinating response efforts at all levels.