I’m backkkkkkkkkkkkk!

Lassa fever might be making a big comeback

Good morning, Big Brains. Welcome back to reality. I wish I could say I had the opportunity to shut down my laptop during the break, but it is what it is. Capitalism will not be the end of me.

- Margaret

Word count: ~ 1,000
Reading time ~ 5 mins

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Let’s get into today’s edition:

• LASSA fever might be making a comeback

• Elon Musk’s dad isn’t taking his son’s side

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The Big Deal

LASSA fever might be making a comeback

You know that catchy “I’m back” line from the cancelled person we won’t be mentioning? That’s the theme song for Lassa fever’s 2025 comeback. To be fair, the virus never completely left, but according to the latest situation report by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), the numbers are looking scarier than usual.

As of Week 21 of 2025, Nigeria has recorded 739 confirmed cases and 141 deaths, bringing the case fatality rate (CFR) to 19.1%. That’s a disturbingly higher fatality rate compared to last year’s 18.1%. Around the same time in 2024, there were 897 confirmed cases and 162 deaths, so while this year’s case count has dropped, the fatality rate hasn’t.

So far, 90% of all confirmed cases are from Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba, and Ebonyi states. Ondo alone has 224 confirmed cases, closely followed by Bauchi (185), Edo (121), Taraba (116), and Ebonyi (21). In total, 18 states across 95 Local Government Areas have recorded at least one confirmed case this year.

Other states like Kogi, Gombe, Plateau, and Benue have also reported some confirmed cases and deaths.

The NCDC says the virus is mostly affecting young adults aged 21 to 30, with men slightly more at risk than women. Exactly 22 healthcare workers have also been infected so far this year.

Why is this a big deal?

This might come as a surprise to you, but Nigeria has been experiencing Lassa fever outbreaks since 1969. So far, not much has changed, except the disease’s fatality rate and Nigeria’s doctor-to-patient ratio.

Between 1969 and 1986, the disease had a fatality rate of 41%, meaning almost half of the people who contracted it at the time died. In the last 57 years, the fatality rate has dropped to 19.1%, which means that most people have a fair shot at fighting this virus and staying alive.

While the drop might seem like a thing to celebrate, 2025 still isn’t a great year to fall victim to Lassa fever. Nigeria’s doctor-to-patient ratio has gone from bad to a total shit show in the last few years.

Right now, we only have one doctor to attend to 10,000 people, which means Lassa fever patients have slimmer chances of getting proper medical attention this year. When infectious diseases don’t get treated quickly or properly, they spread. Every untreated case is a potential risk to more people, and a potential health emergency we’re not equipped to handle.

You’ve probably heard the “prevention is better than a cure” line a million times, but this is the year to take it seriously. To keep yourself safe from Lassa Fever, start by cutting off Lassa’s favourite delivery guys—rats.

The virus spreads mainly through contact with food or household items contaminated with rodent urine or droppings. That means you must keep your food tightly sealed, your home clean, and any possible rat entrances blocked off. Stop drying food on the floor or by the roadside, and keep your trash far from the house. If you live in or near an affected area, avoid contact with the body fluids of people who are sick, because Lassa can spread from person to person, too.

Elon Musk’s dad isn’t taking his son’s side

If you’ve ever wondered why your calendar has one billion Mother’s Days and one Father’s Day, we think Elon Musk’s father, Errol Musk, just made the reason pretty clear.

Yesterday, we gave you all the details on Musk and Trump's political breakup yesterday, but the drama is far from over.

It all started when Elon Musk called Trump’s new tax bill “a disgusting abomination,” a statement that pissed the American president off so bad that he publicly cut off Musk.

Now, Papa Musk has entered the chat all the way from Russia. He says that Musk Jr. and Trump have been under pressure since they started running the country, and his son’s crash-out was a stress response and he expects the political duo to mend things soon.

Papa Musk also made it crystal clear that he’s proudly #TeamTrump, and his son made a mistake by starting a public feud with the sitting president.

We’re not sure where Elon Musk’s head is, but he’s likely somewhere asking himself where he was when God was sharing supportive fathers.

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The Big Picks

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This Week’s Big Question

“What’s your hottest Nigerian take?”

Temilorun’s response - “Every Nigerian is just as bad as the leaders they criticise. We are all horrible people and we deserve our leaders.”

You can also share your response here, and if it’s as interesting as Temilorun’s, we’ll feature it in the next edition.

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Let’s settle this thing

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If You Score Up to 10 on This Quiz, Your Ex Is the One for You: Share your results and tag us on social media.

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Play catch up

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