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Nigeria’s Lassa fever outbreak has intensified, with 146 deaths and 38 health workers infected reported across multiple states, raising alarms over the viral haemorrhagic disease’s spread and impact on frontline responders. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) disclosed that cases continue to rise, particularly in endemic regions, prompting urgent calls for strengthened surveillance and community engagement to slow transmission.
Health authorities have emphasised that Lassa fever, transmitted mainly through contact with infected rodents or contaminated food and surfaces, poses a significant risk during seasonal peaks. The infection of health workers — who are critical to outbreak response — has triggered concerns about infection control practices in facilities. Officials have urged strict adherence to protective protocols, early case detection, and community awareness campaigns to reduce exposure and prevent further spread.
States most affected include Edo, Ondo, Bauchi, and Plateau, where local health authorities are ramping up treatment centres and deploying rapid response teams. Public health experts have warned that without enhanced funding and coordinated strategies — including improved sanitation and rodent control — seasonal Lassa fever outbreaks could strain Nigeria’s healthcare system further, underscoring the need for both federal and state collaboration in tackling the disease.
