Lassa fever kills 142 people, spreads to 18 states

Nigeria has reported 747 confirmed cases of Lassa fever from a pool of 5,394 suspected infections between January 1 and June 1, 2025, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).

The virus, which has now spread to 96 local government areas in 18 states, has led to 142 deaths, marking a case fatality rate of 19 per cent.

Lassa fever is a viral haemorrhagic illness caused by the Lassa virus, typically transmitted through contact with food or household items contaminated by rodent excreta. Its primary reservoir is the multimammate rat, although other rodent species may also transmit the virus.

“Cumulatively as of Week 22, 2025, 142 deaths have been reported with a Case Fatality Rate of 19.0 per cent which is higher than the CFR for the same period in 2024 (18.1 per cent).”

“In total for 2025, 18 states have recorded at least one confirmed case across 96 local government areas,” the NCDC stated in its latest situation report published on Thursday.

Five states—Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba, and Ebonyi—account for the bulk of infections, contributing 91 per cent of confirmed cases. The NCDC detailed the breakdown as follows: “Of the 91 per cent confirmed cases, Ondo reported 31 per cent, Bauchi 25 per cent, Edo 16 per cent, Taraba 16 per cent, and Ebonyi, three per cent.”

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The report also noted that individuals aged 21–30 years make up the most affected age group, with cases ranging from one to 96 years old.

“The predominant age group affected is 21-30 years (Range: 1 to 96 years, Median Age: 30 years). The male-to-female ratio for confirmed cases is 1:0.8,” the report added.

The death toll is distributed across several states, including Taraba (34), Ondo (28), Edo (21), Bauchi (16), and Ebonyi (11). Other states that recorded fatalities are Kogi (4), Gombe (7), Plateau (5), Benue (5), Nasarawa (4), Kaduna (2), Enugu (1), Delta (2), Cross River (1), and Ogun (1).

Confirmed infections were also documented in the following areas: Ondo (229), Bauchi (186), Edo (122), Taraba (116), Ebonyi (21), Kogi (15), Gombe (14), Plateau (13), Benue (11), Nasarawa (6), Kaduna (3), Enugu (3), Delta (2), Cross River (2), Borno (1), Ogun (1), Federal Capital Territory (1), and Anambra (1).

While the number of suspected and confirmed cases has declined compared to the same period in 2024, the NCDC emphasized that coordinated national response efforts remain active.

The agency said, “The national Lassa fever multi-partner, multi-sectoral Incident Management System had been activated to coordinate the response activities at all levels.”

Lassa fever kills 142 people, spreads to 18 states

NAFDAC defends raid on Onitsha traders, denies extortion rumours

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has refuted rumours of extortion or arbitrary sanctions in the wake of its sweeping drug market crackdown, clarifying that all investigative charges imposed on traders were federally gazetted and lawful.

NAFDAC Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, told the press in Lagos on Friday that the agency strictly followed Nigerian law during its high-profile enforcement operation across three major open drug markets: Idumota (Lagos), Ariaria (Aba), and Bridge Head (Onitsha) from February 9 to March 27, 2025.

“Let it be made abundantly clear: every charge imposed was in line with federal regulations and duly gazetted by the government.

“There was no witch-hunt, no arbitrary enforcement. These were consequences of clear violations of public health laws,” Prof. Adeyeye said.

NAFDAC sealed shops, warehouses, and distribution points selling unregistered, expired, banned, and falsified narcotics, including some diverted from donation programmes.

The agency reported removing over N1tn in dangerous drugs from circulation.

“We cannot allow a system where people peddle poisons in the name of medicine.
“Our actions were not only lawful; they were absolutely necessary to save lives,” she stressed.

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“To regularise their operations, violators were issued investigative charges, including N5m for the sale of unregistered products (reduced to N200,000 after appeals), and N2m for breach of good storage and distribution practices (reduced to ₦500,000).

“These fines were not invented by NAFDAC overnight.

“They are rooted in official policy. The reductions were granted in good faith after careful consideration of appeals. This is a system based on fairness and legality.”

She further revealed that following the operation, the Ogbogwu market in Onitsha was officially reopened on 9th March 2025, and over 2,500 traders with 3,500 shops who complied with NAFDAC’s conditions had resumed full activity.

“Let it be known: there is unconditional reopening for those who comply with our regulations.

“We are not shutting businesses down permanently; we are restructuring the system for safety and accountability,” she said.

The Ogbogwu market, notoriously known as the centre of counterfeit pharmaceuticals in West Africa, had been on NAFDAC’s radar for years.

Adeyeye stated that the agency could no longer “turn a blind eye” to the widespread use of lethal drugs, which has resulted in countless avoidable deaths.

“Fake anti-hypertensives, expired antibiotics, and illegal narcotics have no place in our healthcare system.

“We will continue to root them out market by market, warehouse by warehouse, until Nigeria is free of killer drugs.”

Adeyeye stressed NAFDAC’s commitment to ensuring the safety, efficacy, and quality of all medical products used by Nigerians and pledged to sustain surveillance and enforcement across the country.

“This is about saving lives. We cannot afford to lose more pregnant women, children, or chronically ill patients to counterfeit medicine. This is our mandate, and we will not relent.”

NAFDAC defends raid on Onitsha traders, denies extortion rumours

FG to open 3 cancer centres for 2,000 patients May 29

The Federal Government will open three new cancer centres in the coming days to improve specialized healthcare in Nigeria.

The centres are expected to treat about 2,000 cancer patients and provide diagnostic services to 350,000 people every year.

Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, made the announcement on Saturday via his official X handle.

He described the initiative as the most ambitious investment in cancer care ever undertaken by a Nigerian administration, marking the establishment of West Africa’s largest network of oncology and diagnostic centres.

Tinubu to commission new centres 

The announcement comes as His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu marks the midpoint of his first term in office.

According to Pate, “In the coming days, three newly built cancer centers will be formally commissioned by Mr. President and opened for public access.  

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“The newly completed centers, located at the Federal Teaching Hospital in Katsina, the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital in Nsukka, and the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, will bring the total number of such facilities to six across the country, ushering in a new era of specialized cancer care. 

“This milestone initiative will train up to 500 clinicians over the next three years and is projected to serve approximately 2,000 oncology patients and 350,000 diagnostic clients annually,” Pate added.

To ensure seamless and sustained operations, Pate said that key institutional personnel are currently undergoing advanced clinical and technical training in South Africa.

Insurance authority to support low-income patients 

At the same time, the National Health Insurance Authority has launched a targeted cost-sharing programme to expand access to cancer treatment.

“Under this initiative, eligible disadvantaged patients undergoing radiotherapy may receive subsidies of up to N400,000, significantly easing the financial burden on families and improving treatment adherence,” he said.

A new standard for cancer care in Nigeria 

Pate added that, guided by the compassionate and reform-driven leadership of President Tinubu and in full alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda, the government is committed to transforming cancer care in Nigeria.

“We are dismantling longstanding barriers both on the supply and demand sides to ensure that quality, affordable cancer care becomes the national standard, not the exception. 

“I now invite you to explore these transformative facilities and engage with this special briefing on what they mean for the present and future of cancer care in Nigeria,” Pate stated.

FG to open 3 cancer centres for 2,000 patients May 29