NCDC Raises the Alarm as Lassa Fever Kills Two Health Workers, 15 Infected
By Momodu Favour
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has raised concern over a surge in Lassa fever infections among healthcare workers, confirming that two health personnel have died while 15 others have tested positive amid the latest outbreak of the viral disease.
In an advisory released on Monday, the agency disclosed that as of Epidemiological Week 7, 15 confirmed cases of Lassa fever had been recorded among healthcare workers across multiple states, with two fatalities.
The NCDC expressed sympathy to the affected workers and their families, describing the development as worrisome and indicative of gaps in infection prevention and control (IPC) measures within health facilities.
“Recent surveillance data indicate a concerning increase in Lassa fever infections among healthcare workers,” the agency stated, adding that investigations are ongoing to determine the drivers of transmission and prevent further spread.
According to the NCDC, affected states include high-burden areas such as Ondo State, Edo State, Bauchi State, Taraba State, Ebonyi State, and Benue State, with specific hotspots identified at local government levels.
The agency noted that preliminary findings revealed lapses in infection prevention practices, including inadequate risk assessment in certain hospital departments and misalignment of IPC strategies with actual exposure risks.
“These gaps have resulted in IPC strategies that are misaligned with actual exposure risks, with fatal consequences,” the advisory stated.
Lassa fever is a zoonotic acute viral illness caused by the Lassa virus, which is primarily transmitted through contact with food or household items contaminated by urine or faeces of infected Mastomys rats, commonly known as the African multimammate rat.
The disease is endemic in Nigeria and several West African countries. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness and can also spread from person to person, particularly in healthcare settings where infection prevention and control measures are inadequate.
Beyond Nigeria, the disease is known to be endemic in Benin, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Sierra Leone, Togo, and Nigeria.
Since a major outbreak in 2016, Nigeria has experienced recurring seasonal spikes in Lassa fever cases, often straining healthcare systems in affected states.
The NCDC urged healthcare facilities nationwide to strengthen infection prevention protocols, ensure proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and maintain high suspicion for early detection and isolation of suspected cases.
Public health experts warn that without strict adherence to safety protocols in hospitals and communities, the outbreak could widen, particularly during the dry season when Lassa fever cases typically peak.
The agency said it would continue surveillance, contact tracing, and public awareness campaigns to contain the spread and protect frontline health workers from further exposure.
