At least 400 Nigerians have died from cholera and Lassa fever outbreaks between January and September 2025, according to new data from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).

The WHO reports that 234 people died from cholera, with over 9,700 cases recorded between January and August. In just the last 28 days, Nigeria saw a sharp spike— 2,926 new cases and 67 more deaths, marking an 11% rise in cases and a 56% surge in fatalities compared to the previous month.

Cholera, a severe diarrhoeal disease spread through contaminated food or water, remains a major threat, especially in communities lacking clean water and proper sanitation. WHO warns that without long-term investment in water infrastructure, outbreaks will continue to resurface.

Meanwhile, the NCDC confirmed 166 deaths from Lassa fever as of mid-September 2025, with 895 confirmed cases across 21 states and 106 Local Government Areas.

The current case fatality rate for Lassa fever now stands at 18.5%, higher than last year’s rate of 16.9%. Most infections were found in Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba, and Ebonyi States, with young adults aged 21 to 30 the most affected.

Despite a slight drop in new Lassa fever cases recently, the NCDC warns that challenges like insecurity, limited medical supplies, and underfunded health systems are slowing down containment efforts.

Both the WHO and NCDC are urging for stronger health infrastructure, better disease surveillance, and consistent investment in water, sanitation, and outbreak preparedness to prevent future health emergencies.