By Our Correspondent
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), has reported a surge in Lassa fever cases, with 118 deaths and 645 confirmed infections recorded between January and March 2025.
The outbreak has spread across 91 local government areas in 33 states, raising concerns over inadequate resources for containment.
The agency revealed that 20 healthcare workers have been infected in Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba, Ebonyi, Gombe, Benue, and Ogun states.
Many patients reportedly delay seeking medical attention, opting for self-medication and ineffective traditional treatments.
In response, NCDC has activated the Lassa Fever National Emergency Operations Centre (LF-EOC), to coordinate outbreak control efforts.
Rapid Response Teams (RRTs), have been deployed to 10 states, including Kogi, Plateau, and Nasarawa, with some areas like Edo and Taraba requiring extended intervention due to worsening conditions.
Despite the distribution of personal protective equipment and medications, the agency identified weak surveillance, manpower shortages, and inadequate funding as major setbacks in curbing the outbreak.
NCDC Director General, Dr. Jide Idris, urged state governments and private organizations to support the fight against the disease.
He emphasized the importance of environmental hygiene and preventive measures, stressing that every Nigerian has a role in stopping the spread.
