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Correspondence to Author: Olusola Bamidele Ojo.

1 Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Public Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Oromia, Ethiopia.

DOI: 10.52338/joid.2025.5157

Abstract:

Nigeria is the epicenter of Lassa fever. As of 7 September 2025, the country has recorded 164 deaths out of 884 confirmed cases, and a case fatality ratio (CFR) of 18.6 percent. This portends a significant socio-economic burden and heightened risks of imported cases beyond subSaharan Africa. Thus, we describe vital epidemiological variables of Lassa fever in Nigeria between 2015 and 2025. We used primary data from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (NCDC) database. By deploying descriptive statistics, we found an average case fatality ratio (CFR) of 22 percent between 2015 and 7 September 2025, a case positivity ratio (CPR) of 14 percent, and a total of 249 healthcare workers were infected with Lassa between 2019 and 7 September 2025. This study highlights the contemporary disease burden and diagnostic capacities of Lassa fever in Nigeria. It reinforces the need for improved community engagement and disease surveillance.

Keywords:Lassa fever, Case fatality ratio, Nigeria, NCDC, Case positivity ratio, Healthcare Workers

Citation:

Olusola Bamidele Ojo, Epidemiology Of Lassa Fever In Nigeria, 2015- 2025: A Descriptive Study. Journal of Infectious Diseases 2025.