The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has activated its emergency operation centers in response to a surge in Lassa fever cases.
The centre’s Director-General, Dr Ifedayo Adetifa, in a statement on Thursday, revealed an escalation in confirmed cases, fatalities, and geographic spread of the disease from 2023 to 2024.
He stated that “the latest situation report shows that total confirmed cases increased from 29 in 2023 to 53 in 2024.
“The case fatality rate range covering six states in 2023 and nine states in 2024, is now in 25 local government areas, up from 13 local government areas.”
He said that the NCDC classified Lassa fever as “high-risk” and urgently coordinating a national response to mitigate the impact of the infectious disease.
He said that the National Lassa Fever Technical Working Group had been activated following risk assessment conducted by subject matter experts from relevant ministries, departments, agencies, and stakeholders, including major partners.
He said that the risk assessment revealed that the country is at “high risk” of increased Lassa fever transmission and impact due to increased number of states reporting cases and high case fatality.
“The zones impacted with Lassa fever have been increasing across the country, with a risk of international exposure. The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (FMoH and SW), through the agency had put up preparations for this Lassa fever season prior to the activation of the EOC.
“The Lassa fever-EOC activation will coordinate a national response, particularly across affected states to help minimise suffering, reduce mortality, interrupt disease transmission, and address socioeconomic complications, using one-health approach.”
He said that the national response requires the participation of both the government and the people, along with the support of partners and other stakeholders.
He added that “collaboration with the support of states will continue to develop and implement evidence-driven outbreak response plans for their territories.”
He, therefore, urged the public to maintain personal, environmental, and food hygiene in the fight against the disease, saying early detection and quick presentation at health facilities considerably increase survival chances.
