What Is Lassa Fever?
Lassa fever is a viral haemorrhagic illness first identified in Nigeria in 1969. The disease is primarily transmitted through contact with food or household items contaminated by the urine or droppings of infected multimammate rats.
Human-to-human transmission can also occur through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected persons, making healthcare settings especially vulnerable when infection-prevention practices are weak.
According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, outbreaks are often driven by unsafe food storage, overcrowded living conditions and delayed presentation to health facilities.
The agency reports that as of epidemiological week three, 39 cases had been confirmed nationwide, with four involving health workers.
Symptoms
Early symptoms, such as fever, headache, weakness, sore throat, and vomiting, often resemble malaria or typhoid, leading many patients to self-medicate and delay proper care. As the disease progresses, some individuals may develop chest pain, facial swelling, bleeding or breathing difficulties.
Medical experts warn that such delays significantly increase the risk of severe complications and death.
The NCDC has listed several states with confirmed cases in the current outbreak, including Ondo, Edo, Bauchi, Taraba, Ebonyi, Benue, Plateau and Nasarawa, highlighting the recurring and widespread nature of the disease.
With no widely available vaccine, survival largely depends on early detection and prompt medical intervention.
Healthcare workers, remain at heightened risk, especially in facilities experiencing shortages of personal protective equipment or weak infection control systems.
What Citizens Can Do to Protect Themselves
Lassa fever prevention is not solely the responsibility of government or health workers. Communities, families, and individuals all have a role.
Citizens can reduce their risk by taking simple but critical precautions as recommended by NCDC. Homes should be kept rodent-free by storing food in sealed rodent-proof containers, avoiding outdoor drying of food where contamination can occur, and sealing holes that allow rats into living spaces.
Maintaining proper hygiene, including regular handwashing and avoiding contact with rodent droppings, is essential. Individuals with persistent fever that does not respond to malaria treatment are advised to seek immediate medical attention, especially in affected states.
At the same time, healthcare facilities must prioritise the protection of doctors, nurses, and caregivers by ensuring adequate personal protective equipment and strict adherence to infection prevention protocols.
RN
