By Salam Saheed
A public health physician at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, Dr. Anegbe Norbertta E., has raised concerns over the persistent burden of Lassa fever in Nigeria, urging healthcare workers to strengthen infection prevention and control measures to curb the spread of the disease.
Speaking during a lecture hosted by ASSOCIATION OF RURAL SURGICAL PRACTITIONERS OF NIGERIA, OYO STATE and titled “Lassa Fever Outbreaks in Nigeria and Control Strategies” on Thursday, Dr. Anegbe described Lassa fever as an endemic viral haemorrhagic disease that continues to pose a significant public health challenge, particularly during the dry season between November and April.
She noted that, although states such as Edo, Ondo, Ebonyi, Bauchi, Taraba, Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi account for the highest disease burden, recent confirmed cases in Oyo State demonstrate that transmission is no longer confined to traditional endemic areas.
According to data presented during the lecture, Nigeria had recorded 6,165 suspected cases, 922 confirmed cases and 221 deaths as of Epidemiological Week 26 of 2026, representing a case fatality rate of 24 per cent. Oyo State recorded 116 suspected cases, five confirmed cases and one death within the same period.
Dr. Anegbe also expressed concern over the increasing number of healthcare workers infected during outbreaks, stressing that delayed diagnosis, inadequate use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and poor adherence to infection prevention and control (IPC) protocols have contributed to occupational exposure.
She explained that the multimammate rat (Mastomys natalensis) remains the principal reservoir of the virus, with transmission occurring through contact with food or household items contaminated by rodent urine or faeces, as well as through exposure to infected blood and body fluids.
The physician urged clinicians to maintain a high index of suspicion for patients with persistent fever that does not respond to malaria treatment, especially those with relevant epidemiological risk factors or recent travel to endemic areas.
She identified RT-PCR as the gold standard for laboratory confirmation of Lassa fever and stressed that early diagnosis, prompt administration of intravenous ribavirin, strict adherence to standard precautions, proper hand hygiene and appropriate use of PPE remain critical to reducing fatalities and preventing healthcare-associated infections.
Dr. Anegbe further called for sustained disease surveillance, community awareness, improved sanitation, rodent control and a One Health approach involving the human, animal and environmental health sectors to effectively contain future outbreaks.