The Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS) says it will sensitise about 1.4 million people to the dangers of Lassa fever.
The sensitisation would also be on preventive measures and where to access treatment.
The Secretary General of the society, Mr Abubakar Kende, said this in Abuja on Wednesday during the celebration of the World Red Cross Day.
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The Red Cross Day celebration is with the theme, ‘Keeping Humanity Alive”.
“The most current thing which we are doing right now is Lassa Fever Intervention.
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“We intend to sensitise at least 1.4 million people about the dangers of the virus, how to avoid it and where to access treatment if they suspect they are infected
“As things stand now, 150 people have died of an outbreak of Lassa Fever in 27 states including the Federal Capital Territory.”
He said that 5,295 Lassa fever cases have been reported in 2024, in Nigeria.
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According to him, the worst affected states are Bauchi, Taraba, Edo, Ondo, Plateau, Benue, Cross River, Rivers, Anambra, and Ebonyi States.
He said that the society’s volunteers would work with communities in some particular Local Government Areas to reduce rat infestation.
According to him, the volunteers will show communities how to provide immediate help for suspected cases.
Lassa fever is an animal-borne, or zoonotic, acute viral illness spread by the common African rat. It is endemic in parts of West Africa including Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea and Nigeria. Neighboring countries are also at risk because the animal vector lives throughout the region.
The first documented case occurred in 1969. Lassa fever is named after the town in Nigeria where the first cases occurred.
About 100,000 to 300,000 infections of Lassa fever occur annually, with about 5,000 deaths. Surveillance for Lassa fever varies between locations so these estimates are crude. In some areas of Sierra Leone and Liberia, about 10-16% of people admitted to hospitals annually have Lassa fever. This shows the serious impact the disease has on the region.
