At least 20 healthcare workers have been infected as Nigeria battles a worsening Lassa fever outbreak, with 118 deaths recorded in the first quarter of 2025, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).
In a statement released on Sunday via its official website, the NCDC reported that between January and March 2025, a total of 3,465 suspected cases were recorded across 91 local government areas in 33 states, with 645 confirmed cases.
The agency noted that the outbreak’s case fatality rate (CFR) currently stands at 18.3 per cent, underscoring its severity.
The infection of frontline healthcare workers remains a significant concern, with Ondo State reporting the highest number of affected personnel (eight cases), followed by Bauchi (four), Taraba (two), Gombe (two) and one case each in Edo, Ebonyi, Benue and Ogun states.
To combat the outbreak, the NCDC has deployed Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) to 10 high-burden states – Kogi, Plateau, Ondo, Edo, Bauchi, Ebonyi, Taraba, Benue, Gombe, and Nasarawa – to support local management efforts. Due to the evolving nature of the outbreak, teams in Edo and Taraba have had their deployments extended by an additional 10 and seven days, respectively.
The agency has also activated the Lassa Fever National Emergency Operations Centre (LF-EOC) at Response Level 2 to enhance coordination among federal and state authorities, local governments, and development partners. Additionally, essential medical supplies, including personal protective equipment (PPEs) and treatment medications, have been distributed to affected states.
Despite these measures, several challenges are hampering response efforts. The NCDC cited delays in case detection due to weak community-level surveillance, limited resources for treatment, difficulties in contact tracing, manpower shortages at treatment centers, and late presentation of cases. Many patients, the agency noted, resort to self-medication or traditional remedies before seeking hospital care, further complicating treatment.
NCDC director-general, Dr. Jide Idris has called on state governments to provide financial support for Lassa fever treatment and urged the private sector to contribute medical resources and fund public health awareness campaigns.
“While the NCDC and state governments are leading response efforts, the fight against Lassa fever requires collective action from all Nigerians,” Idris said.
He emphasised that preventing Lassa fever begins with individual responsibility.
“We urge citizens to maintain good environmental hygiene, store food properly and prevent rodents from entering their homes,” he said.
He also advised healthcare workers to adhere strictly to infection prevention and control (IPC) measures to protect themselves while treating suspected cases.
“With the outbreak continuing to spread, authorities are racing against time to contain the virus and reduce fatalities in the coming months,” he added.
Lassa fever is a viral hemorrhagic disease primarily transmitted through contact with the urine or feces of infected rats. It can also spread from person to person via bodily fluids, contaminated objects, or infected medical equipment.
Symptoms include fever, sore throat, headache, vomiting, muscle pain and, in severe cases, bleeding from body openings.
