The Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, Dr Olajide Idris, has raised alarm over rising Lassa fever cases and fatalities across the country. He said the situation is particularly concerning among healthcare workers.
Speaking on Channels TV from Abuja, Dr. Idris said the current outbreak has recorded 318 confirmed cases and 70 deaths, with approximately 1,500 suspected cases nationwide. He noted that five states account for nearly 90% of reported infections.
Dr. Idris highlighted that many healthcare workers lacked proper protective measures and sufficient awareness of Lassa fever, leading to higher occupational infection rates.
He stressed the importance of early detection, proper reporting, and adherence to infection prevention and control (IPC) protocols to reduce fatalities.
He urged state governments to invest in emergency preparedness at the local government level, improve primary healthcare infrastructure, and ensure healthcare workers have necessary protective gear.
Dr. Idris added that public education and environmental sanitation are crucial to controlling the disease, which is primarily transmitted by rats.
The NCDC chief acknowledged that while progress has been made compared to previous seasons, the current mortality among healthcare personnel remains alarming.
He said the agency is also supporting research toward developing a Lassa fever vaccine, though he cautioned that widespread eradication will take time due to environmental and animal factors contributing to transmission.
Dr. Idris concluded that with strengthened local capacity, early reporting, and community engagement, Nigeria can significantly reduce the impact of Lassa fever over the next decade.
