NCDC raises alarm over rising lassa fever infections, deaths among health workers

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on Monday expressed concern over the increasing spread of Lassa fever among healthcare workers, reporting that two health workers have died and 15 confirmed cases have been recorded among them amid the country’s ongoing outbreak of the zoonotic disease.

In an advisory released on Monday, the NCDC extended its sympathies to the affected health workers while highlighting troubling trends in the latest surveillance data.

“Recent surveillance data indicate a concerning increase in Lassa fever infections among healthcare workers, with 15 confirmed cases and 2 deaths recorded as of Epidemiological Week 7,” the agency stated.

Healthcare worker infections have been reported across multiple states, including high-burden areas such as Ondo, Edo, Bauchi, Taraba, Ebonyi, and Benue, with specific hotspots often identified at the local government level.

The NCDC noted that it investigates every healthcare worker infection to identify transmission drivers and prevent further cases. Recent findings have revealed gaps in infection prevention and control practices, as well as missed exposure risks in certain departments.

“These gaps have resulted in IPC strategies that are misaligned with actual exposure risks, with fatal consequences,” the agency said.

Lassa fever, an animal-borne acute viral illness spread by the common African rat (Mastomys species), is endemic in Nigeria and other West African countries. Since the 2016 outbreak, recurring cases have increased.

According to the World Health Organization, humans typically become infected through exposure to food or household items contaminated with urine or faeces of infected rats.

The disease is endemic in Benin, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Sierra Leone, Togo, and Nigeria, and may exist in other West African countries.

The WHO noted that person-to-person infections and laboratory transmission can also occur, particularly in healthcare settings lacking adequate infection prevention and control measures.

Meanwhile, the Benue State Government has confirmed the deaths of four health workers following a Lassa fever outbreak, with suspected cases continuing to rise across the state.

State Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Paul Ogwuche, disclosed this on Monday while briefing journalists on the latest situation.

Ogwuche recalled that the state had officially declared an outbreak weeks earlier after recording 53 suspected cases and three deaths.

He said the ministry’s disease surveillance dashboard now shows more than 60 suspected cases, with 11 confirmed infections.

“The record from the ministry dashboard as of today indicates that there are over 60 suspected cases of Lassa fever in the state, while 11 cases have been confirmed, out of which four health workers died and three patients are on admission,” he said.

The commissioner noted that vigorous response efforts, including public enlightenment and technical support from the NCDC, were ongoing to curb the disease.

He also explained that despite brain drain affecting the health sector, all 23 general hospitals in the state remain staffed by qualified medical doctors, although recommended staffing ratios have yet to be attained.

While commending Governor Hyacinth Alia for sector reforms, Ogwuche highlighted improvements in manpower recruitment and infrastructure. He assured residents that the proposed cancer treatment centre remained on course, with strong backing from the state government and support from Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu.

“Having a cancer centre close to us will do us a lot of good with what people are passing through with cancer,” he said.

Ogwuche also warned residents about the approaching meningitis season, advising them to avoid overcrowded environments and maintain preventive health measures.

Lassa fever is a serious viral hemorrhagic disease with early symptoms including fever, headache, weakness, vomiting, and muscle aches. Severe cases can lead to hearing loss, organ failure, or death. While no licensed vaccine currently exists, early diagnosis, prompt supportive care, and treatment with the antiviral drug ribavirin can significantly improve survival chances.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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