Lassa Fever: NCDC Calls For Strict Implementation Of Infection Prevention, Control

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has issued an urgent advisory to healthcare workers nationwide following a disturbing rise in Lassa fever infections, including 15 confirmed cases and two deaths among medical personnel.

The advisory, signed by the director-general of NCDC, DrJide Idris, comes amid the peak transmission season of the viral haemorrhagic disease, particularly in high-burden states such as Ondo, Edo, Bauchi, Taraba, Ebonyi, and Benue.

“Recent surveillance data indicate a concerning increase in Lassa fever infections among healthcare workers, with 15 confirmed cases and two deaths recorded as of Epidemiological Week 7,” the advisory stated.

NCDC expressed deep concern over recent infections and fatalities among healthcare workers, noting that their safety remains a top national priority. “We urge all healthcare personnel to take every necessary measure to prevent Lassa fever infection and the associated loss of life,” the advisory stated.

The centre noted that healthcare workers are most often infected through contact with contaminated blood or body fluids, poorly protected clinical procedures, inadequate hand hygiene, or contact with contaminated surfaces and instruments, adding that delayed recognition of suspected cases further increases the risk of hospital-based transmission.

Dr. Idris emphasised that standard precautions must be applied to all patients at all times, regardless of diagnosis. These, he said include rigorous hand hygiene before and after patient contact, risk-appropriate PPE use, safe handling of specimens and injections, proper waste management, thorough environmental cleaning and disinfection.

NCDC said it is working closely with state ministries of health to contain the outbreak. It said efforts include deploying Rapid Response Teams, distributing PPE to high-burden states, issuing state-specific advisories, and conducting targeted IPC training in treatment centres.

The agency also commended states such as Edo for demonstrating effective outbreak control.

“Protecting healthcare workers is central to controlling Lassa fever,” Dr. Idris stressed, urging strict adherence to IPC practices and immediate reporting of suspected cases to local disease surveillance officers.