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By Tracy Moses
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) is intensifying efforts at taming the scourge of Lassa feve, which has claimed 118 lives in the first quarter of 2025.
The Director General of the NCDC, Dr. Jide Idris reported that between January and March 2025, the agency recorded 3,465 suspected cases of Lassa fever across 91 Local Government Areas in 33 states.
Out of these, 645 cases were confirmed, with a Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 18.3%. Tragically, 20 healthcare workers have been affected, including eight in Ondo, four in Bauchi, one in Edo and two in Taraba State.
Ebonyi and Gombe recorded two cases while Benue and Ogun States recorded a case each.
Responding to the worrisome infection rate, the NCDC has activated the Lassa Fever National Emergency Operations Centre (LF-EOC) at Response Level 2 to improve coordination among various stakeholders, including federal, state, and local governments, alongside development partners.
Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) have been deployed in 10 states that are bearing the brunt of the outbreak, including Kogi, Plateau, Ondo, Edo, Bauchi, Ebonyi, Taraba, Benue, Gombe, and Nasarawa. Due to deteriorating conditions, deployments in Edo and Taraba states have been extended for an additional 10 and seven days, respectively.
Dr. Idris acknowledged that despite the agency’s proactive measures, challenges persist, including poor surveillance at the community level, insufficient resources for treatment and contact tracing, and delays in seeking medical care due to self-medication and reliance on unverified traditional remedies. Additionally, treatment centers are grappling with staffing shortages, further hindering the effectiveness of the response.
To combat the spread of the desease, the agency has provided essential medical supplies, including personal protective equipment (PPEs), treatment medications, and other crucial resources to the affected states. Additionally, the NCDC has issued state-specific advisories to guide local prevention and control strategies. The agency is calling on healthcare workers to adhere to strict infection prevention and control (IPC) protocols when handling suspected cases.
Dr. Idris also urged state governments to contribute to the funding of Lassa fever treatment and has also called for increased private sector participation in providing medical supplies and supporting public awareness campaigns.
He emphasized the importance of a unified response, saying “Preventing the spread of Lassa fever is a shared responsibility for all Nigerians. While the NCDC and state governments are at the forefront of the response, every individual must play a role in controlling the virus.”
The NCDC also reinforced the critical need for maintaining good hygiene practices to prevent rodent infestations in homes, kitchens, and food storage areas, stressing that cleanliness is one of the most effective ways to avoid Lassa fever outbreaks.
The agency is closely monitoring the situation and urges Nigerians to seek immediate medical attention if they experience symptoms such as fever, headache, sore throat, vomiting, or unexplained bleeding.