The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, NCDC, says Lassa fever has claimed 168 lives across 21 states in 2025.

The agency in its situation report for epidemiological week 38, disclosed a total of 4,543 suspected cases, of which 897 were confirmed positive, with a case fatality rate of 18.7 per cent.

It stated that four states, Ondo, Edo, Taraba, and Bauchi, remain the epicentres of the outbreak, accounting for 67 per cent of all confirmed cases. Ondo alone has recorded the highest burden, followed by Edo and Bauchi.

According to the agency, other affected states include Ebonyi, Benue, Kogi, Gombe, Plateau, Kaduna, Nasarawa, Enugu, Delta, Anambra, Rivers, Borno, Oyo, Ogun, the Federal Capital Territory, and Lagos.

The report also highlighted that most of the confirmed cases were among people aged 21 to 40, with both men and women affected.

The NCDC said this age group is the most socially and economically active, making them more exposed to the rodent-borne disease.

Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness transmitted to humans through contact with food or household items contaminated by the urine or faeces of infected rats.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has ordered the withdrawal, suspension and cancellation of 101 products from circulation in Nigeria.

The agency gave the order in a post on its official X handle yesterday, stating that the affected products must no longer be manufactured, imported, exported, distributed, advertised, sold or used in the country.

“This is to inform the general public that the following products are approved for withdrawal, suspension and cancellation by NAFDAC. They are therefore no longer permitted for manufacture, importation, exportation, distribution, advertisement, sale and use within Nigeria,” the statement read.

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According to NAFDAC, a product is considered withdrawn when its registration is discontinued at the request of the market authorisation holder, suspended when licensing conditions are no longer met, and cancelled when the agency revokes the registration licence completely.

The list encompasses a wide range of medicines and health products, including antibiotics, diabetes medications, cardiovascular drugs, and insulin injectables.

The agency urged healthcare providers, importers, distributors, retailers and the general public to consult the full list of affected products on its website and ensure strict compliance with the directive

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has declared that there was no case of Ebola in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), after the index patient suspected of having the virus that causes haemorrhagic fever tested negative for Ebola and Marburg disease.

In a statement on his X handle on Friday, the Centre, however, noted that further tests for other VHFs like Lassa and Dengue are ongoing.

“Thanks to early reporting by a traveller and the swift action of vigilant health workers, the risk to the public was minimised.”

It advised the public to seek medical help immediately if they felt unwell, especially after travelling.

The NCDC also advised the public to shun rumours.

“If you feel unwell, especially after travel, seek medical care immediately. Wash hands regularly & practise good hygiene. Avoid contact with anyone showing unexplained fever, bleeding, vomiting, or diarrhoea.

“Rely only on official NCDC updates. Say no to rumours,” the Centre wrote.

The Centre’s update came after the suspect passengers aboard the Rwanda Air to Abuja were thought to have exhibited Ebola-related symptoms.

Similarly, a statement signed by the Director General of NCDC, Dr. Jide Idris, said: “We wish to inform the public that two recent suspected cases of viral hemorrhagic fever in Abuja both tested negative for Ebola and Marburg viruses.

“We are currently testing samples for other viral hemorrhagic fevers like Lassa Fever and Dengue Fever.
“The most recent case involved a traveller who, after returning to Nigeria from Kigali, responsibly presented himself immediately to a hospital in Abuja when he felt unwell.

“His decision to report early, combined with the vigilance of the attending clinician and hospital team, ensured that our public health system was promptly activated and that the risk to the public was minimised.

“This responsible action is highly commendable and a good practice all Nigerians are urged to emulate; when you feel unwell, especially after travel, seek care early. Doing so protects you, your family, and your community.”