Lassa fever, an acute viral hemorrhagic sickness brought on by the Lassa virus, has remained a major public well being concern in Nigeria for many years. First recognized in 1969 within the city of Lassa, Borno State, the illness has since grow to be endemic in lots of elements of the nation, notably within the dry season between November and April.
Regardless of efforts to curb its unfold, Lassa fever continues to say lives and stretch the nation‘s s fragile well being infrastructure.
Because the relentless struggle towards the illness persists, the Nigeria Centre for Illness Management and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed 143 instances and 22 deaths inside the first two weeks of 2025.
The outbreak has unfold throughout seven states and 32 native authorities areas, underscoring the urgency of implementing strong measures to include the lethal viral hemorrhagic illness.
The affected states; Ondo, Edo, Bauchi, Taraba, Gombe, Kogi, and Ebonyi have reported alarming case numbers, with Ondo alone accounting for 38 per cent of the infections.
The NCDC has described the scenario as important, notably because the dry season, which usually sees a spike in Lassa Fever instances, continues to gas the unfold.
Lassa fever is primarily transmitted by meals or home items contaminated by the urine and feces of contaminated Mastomys rats. Human-to-human transmission can also be widespread, particularly in healthcare settings missing sufficient an infection management measures.
The illness has predominantly affected younger adults, with males being extra in danger. Healthcare staff are additionally susceptible, as evidenced by one confirmed case amongst frontline responders in the course of the reporting interval.
In response, the NCDC mentioned it has activated its multi-sectoral Incident Administration System to coordinate efforts amongst authorities companies and improvement companions.
This technique goals to strengthen surveillance, improve case administration, and promote public consciousness about preventive measures, akin to correct meals storage, rodent management, and environmental hygiene.
The Director-Basic of NCDC, Dr. Jide Idris, emphasised preventive measures, urging Nigerians to take care of private and environmental hygiene. “Block all holes to forestall rodents, retailer meals in sealed containers, and keep away from drying meals on the bottom the place contamination is probably going.“
He harassed the necessity for private and environmental hygiene to forestall the infestation of rats in properties and communities, particularly throughout dry season when the nation sometimes report extra instances of Lassa fever.
„Cowl your waste bins and dispose your waste correctly. Safely retailer meals gadgets akin to rice, garri, beans, corn/maize, and many others, in tightly sealed or well-covered containers. Keep away from drying meals stuff outdoors on the bottom or roadside, the place it’s susceptible to contamination.
Get rid of rats in properties and communities by utilizing rat traps and different applicable and secure means.“
Communities ought to arrange dump websites removed from their properties to cut back the probabilities of the entry of rodents into their properties,“ he urged.
Regardless of a slight lower within the case fatality price (15.4 per cent in comparison with 16.4 per cent in 2024), the middle warns that the outbreak stays important, notably in the course of the dry season when instances sometimes surge.
Healthcare staff have been urged to take care of a excessive index of suspicion for Lassa fever in sufferers with febrile diseases and to comply with strict an infection prevention protocols.
The NCDC additionally cautioned Nigerians to hunt correct medical prognosis for fever, as not all fevers are malaria.
In 2024, Nigeria recorded 1,187 confirmed instances and 191 deaths from Lassa fever. With the 2025 outbreak escalating rapidly, stakeholders have known as for superior analysis, elevated authorities dedication, and rising worldwide collaboration to pave the way in which for more practical prevention and management methods.
