Lassa Fever in Nigeria: A Growing Threat and What Must Be Done
Nigeria is once again facing a significant outbreak of Lassa fever, and the rising fatalities show that the disease remains a serious public health challenge. As of the latest update from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), 31 deaths have been confirmed and 154 cases laboratory‑verified out of 754 suspected infections across 20 states in early 2026. The virus now affects 61 local government areas, with the highest burden reported in Ondo, Edo, and Bauchi states.
While Lassa fever is a seasonal threat in West Africa, the current surge especially among young adults aged 21–30, there is urgent need for strengthened preventive and response systems.
Lassa Fever in Nigeria
Lassa fever was first identified in Nigeria in 1969 in the town of Lassa, in Borno State. Over the decades, it has become an endemic viral disease with annual outbreaks, particularly between November and April, coinciding with the dry season. Rodent vectors especially the multimammate rat (Mastomys natalensis) thrive in close proximity to human settlements and contaminate food and surfaces with infectious excreta.
Although Nigeria has responded to outbreaks for decades, challenges remain. Limitations in surveillance, public awareness, clinic access, and rapid diagnostic capacity contribute to delayed detection and spread. In past years, outbreaks have claimed hundreds of lives, with high fatality rates often linked to late presentation and limited clinical resources.
Why Fatalities Are Rising
Medical experts have pointed to several factors behind the current outbreak’s high Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 14.8% significantly above typical averages:
- Late Healthcare Seeking: Many patients present at advanced stages of infection when treatment options are limited.
- Limited Early Diagnosis: Weak laboratory capacity delays confirmation and isolation.
High Transmission in Affected Communities: Close human‑rodent contact continues due to environmental and hygiene conditions.
Key Risk Factors to Address
Lassa fever is primarily transmitted through contact with contaminated food, household items, or direct exposure to infected rodent urine and feces. In rural and peri‑urban areas where food storage is inadequate and waste management is poor, exposure risk increases sharply.
Secondary human‑to‑human transmission through bodily fluids and close contact can occur in households and healthcare settings without proper infection control.
Immediate and Practical Preventive Measures
The surge in cases shows that prevention must be both community‑driven and system‑supported. Key actions include:
1. Improve Environmental Hygiene:
Rodents thrive in cluttered environments. Communities must practice regular cleaning, proper waste disposal, and eliminate open food storage.
2. Rodent‑Proof Food and Supplies:
Storing grains, foodstuffs, and kitchen items in sealed, rodent‑proof containers significantly reduces contamination risks.
3. Strengthen Community Surveillance:
Early identification and reporting of suspected cases allow rapid isolation and treatment, narrowing transmission chains.
4. Promote Healthcare Seeking Early:
Public awareness campaigns should encourage individuals with fever, weakness, or vomiting lasting more than 48 hours to seek medical evaluation immediately.
5. Equip and Train Healthcare Facilities:
Clinics in high‑burden states need diagnostic tools, protective gear, and infection control training to reduce healthcare worker exposure and speed up treatment.
6. Support National Response Capacity:
Government, partners, and NGOs must ensure rapid response teams have logistics, funding, and coordination to contain outbreaks effectively.
The Broader HSE Implication
Lassa fever exemplifies the intersection of environmental health, infectious disease control, and occupational safety areas core to HSE Nations’ mission. The persistent threat of seasonal outbreaks signals persistent systemic vulnerabilities in public health infrastructure, community education, and emergency response readiness.
A shift toward prevention, early detection, and community partnership is essential. Education campaigns, improved sanitation, and routine surveillance can reduce disease burden, protect at‑risk populations, and ensure that Nigeria’s response is informed, timely, and effective.
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