A deadly resurgence of Lassa fever has gripped Nigeria, with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) confirming 215 deaths and 1,148 cases in 2025 alone. The alarming spike has health officials scrambling to contain the viral haemorrhagic fever as it spreads across 28 states.

The Case Fatality Rate (CFR) has climbed to 18.7%, significantly higher than the 16.3% recorded in the previous year. This escalation points to a potentially more aggressive strain or deteriorating early intervention capacities in rural areas. "We are seeing a worrying trend where patients present too late," an NCDC spokesperson admitted.

The Hotspots

The outbreak is concentrated in three primary states, which account for 89% of the burden:

• Ondo State: The epicenter, recording 35% of all confirmed cases.
• Edo State: Following closely with 26%.
• Bauchi State: Accounting for 16% of the national tally.

Why This Matters to Kenya

While Lassa fever is endemic to West Africa, the interconnectivity of African travel puts Nairobi—a major transit hub—on alert. The virus is transmitted via the Mastomys rat, but human-to-human transmission occurs through bodily fluids. Kenyan health officials at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) have reportedly heightened surveillance on flights arriving from Lagos and Abuja.

The NCDC has activated a National Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) to coordinate the response, focusing on vector control and the distribution of Ribavirin, the primary antiviral treatment. However, shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE) in rural clinics remain a critical vulnerability.