Nigeria: 155 dead, 6,500 suspected cases in virus outbreak

Nigeria is grappling with a fresh spike in a deadly virus, which might have infected over 6,500 people since January alone.

According to AL24 on August 13, the Nigerian authorities say the death toll has risen to 155, while a statement from the Nigeria Center for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) reveals 825 confirmed cases and over 6,520 suspected infections since January.

The virus, which can cause uncontrolled bleeding in extreme cases, is transmitted primarily through contact with food or household items contaminated by rodent urine or droppings

In total, 105 local government areas out of the country’s 774 have reported infections this year. The NCDC says poor health-seeking behavior, high treatment costs in some areas, and limited public awareness in high-burden communities have contributed to rising fatality rates, which have risen from 17.6 percent in 2024 to 18.6 percent in August 2025.

AL24