At least 400 people have lost their lives to cholera and Lassa fever outbreaks across Nigeria between January and September 2025, according to data released by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).The health agencies reported that both diseases remain a major public health concern in the country, with cholera spreading through contaminated food and water, while Lassa fever is transmitted by rodents and from human-to-human contact in severe cases.
The reports noted that several states continue to record new infections despite ongoing awareness campaigns and interventions by health authorities. Rural communities with poor sanitation and limited access to clean water are said to be the worst affected by cholera, while Lassa fever outbreaks have been more pronounced in states within the country’s central and southern regions.The NCDC warned that the onset of the dry season could trigger fresh outbreaks, urging Nigerians to maintain proper hygiene, avoid unsafe food and water, and seek medical attention promptly when symptoms occur.
The agency also called for stronger collaboration between state governments, healthcare workers, and local communities to curb the spread of the diseases.Both WHO and NCDC stressed that urgent investments in healthcare infrastructure, disease surveillance, and community health education are critical to reducing future fatalities.