NCDC’s alarm over Lassa fever

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has raised the alarm over the approaching peak season for Lassa fever, warning states and local governments in the country to adopt proactive measures against the disease. The centre expressed concern over delayed presentation of patients at health facilities, infections among healthcare workers, poor sanitation and food storage, exposure to rodents and inadequate outbreak preparedness by some states, as major challenges in confronting the menace.

Director-General of NCDC, Dr. Jide Idris, who raised the alarm at a press briefing on Nigeria’s preparedness for the 2026/2027 Lassa fever season, identified Ondo, Bauchi, Taraba, Edo and Benue as the five high burden states for Lassa fever in the country, stressing that they account for 86 per cent of cases so far in 2026. Idris noted that the disease occurs throughout the year, with tendency to increase during the dry season, particularly between November and April, hence the plans by the NCDC to accelerate readiness within the period before the yearly fever peak period of the epidemic. He called on healthcare workers, state governments, communities and all Nigerians to do their part in preventing infections, reducing deaths and strengthening preparedness for Lassa fever.

The alarm by the NCDC DG is timely and in order. Lassa fever has become an annual infection in the country, with huge costs on the health of the people and national economy. By December 2024, NCDC had recorded 1,154 confirmed cases of Lassa fever out of the 9,492 suspected cases and 190 deaths. From December 30, 2024 to January 12, 2025, 143 confirmed cases of Lassa fever out of 484 suspected cases had been recorded across seven states and 32 local government areas in the country.  Within the period, NCDC also reported 22 deaths, resulting in a Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 15.4 per cent, within the period. According to the centre, the deaths occurred in Ondo (6), Edo (5), Bauchi (2), Taraba (6), Ebonyi (2), and Gombe (1). The case fatality rate has consistently remained high, prompting the need for preemptive measures against the disease.

Lassa fever remains endemic in Nigeria, posing a significant public health risk across all states. The degree of occurrence poses serious challenge to the authorities and the people. Lassa fever, also known as Lassa hemorrhagic fever, according to experts, is a type of viral hemorrhagic fever caused by the Lassa virus. Many victims of the virus do not develop symptoms. When symptoms occur, they typically include fever, weakness, headaches, vomiting, and muscle pains. Less commonly, there may be bleeding from the mouth or gastrointestinal tract. The risk of death once infected is about one per cent and frequently occurs within two weeks of the onset of symptoms.

Of those who survive, about a quarter have hearing loss, which improves within three months in about half of these cases. The disease is usually initially spread to people via contact with the urine or feces of an infected multimammate mouse. Other rodents can also act as carriers of the virus. Spread can then occur via direct contact between people. Diagnosis based on symptoms is difficult, except by laboratory testing.

Tackling the disease demands proactive actions by the government and the people. The assurance by the NCDC of rolling out an accelerated plan that would strengthen the entire response chain, from prevention and early detection to diagnosis, referral and treatment, is therefore commendable. Let the NCDC prioritise early detection, prompt reporting and investigation, faster transportation and testing of samples, and timely transmission of laboratory results. Treatment centres in high-risk locations should also be prepared to receive patients, with essential medicines, laboratory supplies and protective equipment made available where required.

To check transmission and spread of the disease, the NCDC should intensify the campaign on environmental sanitation, waste management and safer food storage, while working with environmental health, agriculture and livestock authorities. Adequate enlightenment programmes on the dangers of the disease are needed. Let the people and communities be carried along in the enlightenment efforts.

Lassa fever spreads in poor hygienic environment which breeds rats and other dangerous rodents. Members of the public have a role to play in preventing the occurrence of the disease. Families and households need to keep food such as rice, garri, beans and maize in covered containers, block openings through which rodents enter homes, reduce hiding places and dispose of refuse properly. Apart from proper storage of food items, the people should keep their environment clean and avoid drying food stuff outside, on the ground or roadside. They should discourage bush burning and deforestation. People with fever or persistent symptoms, particularly those living in or travelling to affected areas, should seek medical attention promptly and desist from self-medication.