NCDC RAISES ALARM AS LASSA FEVER INFECTS 15 HEALTH WORKERS, KILLS TWO

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has raised concern over the growing spread of Lassa fever among healthcare workers, confirming 15 infections and two deaths as of Epidemiological Week 7.

In an advisory issued on Monday, the agency expressed sympathy to affected personnel and described the trend as alarming.

“Recent surveillance data indicate a concerning increase in Lassa fever infections among healthcare workers, with 15 confirmed cases and 2 deaths recorded,” the NCDC stated.

According to the agency, cases among health workers have been reported in high-burden states including Ondo, Edo, Bauchi, Taraba, Ebonyi, and Benue, with specific hotspots identified at the local government level.

The NCDC said investigations into each healthcare worker infection revealed gaps in infection prevention and control (IPC) practices, as well as missed exposure risks in certain hospital departments. These shortcomings, it noted, have led to misaligned IPC strategies with fatal consequences.

Lassa fever is a zoonotic viral disease transmitted primarily through contact with food or household items contaminated by urine or faeces of infected Mastomys rats. Human-to-human transmission can also occur, particularly in healthcare settings without adequate protective measures.

The World Health Organization describes Lassa fever as an acute viral haemorrhagic illness caused by the Lassa virus, a member of the arenavirus family. The disease is endemic in Nigeria and several West African countries, including Benin, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Sierra Leone and Togo.

The NCDC urged strict adherence to infection prevention protocols to curb further spread and protect frontline health workers.