GROWING FATALITIES FROM LASSA FEVER The authorities could do more to contain the scourge

Lassa fever is still on the rampage. Within the first nine weeks of 2026, the disease has claimed 109 victims, one of the highest in recent times. Also worrying, the country has continued to witness an increase in cases among health workers. According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), about 37 health workers have been infected so far, with six health workers affected in one week alone.

 Overall, 18 states across 69 local government areas in the country have recorded at least one confirmed case of the viral disease.  It is however predominant in five states – Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Benue and Edo.

Lassa fever is an acute febrile illness which is caused by a virus with an incubation period of between six to 21 days. The onset of the disease is usually gradual, starting with fever, general weakness, before being followed by headache, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, cough, and bleeding from mouth and nose. However, because the symptoms of Lassa fever are so varied and non-specific, clinical diagnosis is often difficult, especially early in the course of the disease. For that reason, steps should be taken by the government, at all levels, to emphasise routine infection prevention and control measures.  

Endemic in Benin Republic, Ghana, Sierra Leone, and some other West African countries, Lassa fever has been a serious health challenge in Nigeria since it was first diagnosed in Lassa (the village after which it was named) in Borno State in 1969. Even though there have been efforts in the past to contain the scourge, the country has been witnessing frequent outbreaks in recent years. This, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), “could be attributed to reduced response capacity in surveillance and laboratory testing.”   The NCDC has noted that late presentation of cases to health facilities contributes to the high fatality rate, in addition to poor health-seeking behaviour linked to the cost of treatment, and poor environmental sanitation.

Experts have advised that people should ensure their food (cooked or uncooked) is properly covered, in additional to normal healthy habits, including regular handwashing.  Humans are typically infected through exposure to food or household items contaminated with the urine or faeces of infected rats. Besides, the bush around the home should be cleared regularly while windows and doors of the house should be closed, especially when it is nighttime.  

 Unfortunately, despite repeated commitments by various stakeholders to prevent a recurrence of this disease, what the current outbreak has shown clearly is that the preventive strategies are not working. We believe that the authorities need to do more if we are ever to rid the nation of the disease that claims the lives of dozens of our citizens on an annual basis. With effective coordination, the current outbreak can be contained before it becomes another national epidemic. We need concerted efforts from all stakeholders to deal with this recurring health challenge. We hope the authorities – both at federal and the states – will take both preventive and long-term measures this time around so that we do not continue to lose our citizens to a preventable disease.