The Lassa fever season has once again gripped Nigeria, with a rising number of cases and fatalities recorded across several States.
The recurring outbreak has raised concerns about the country’s preparedness, response mechanisms, and the need for decentralizing the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) to enhance effective state-level responses.
Lassa fever, an acute viral hemorrhagic illness, with origins traced to Lassa, a local rural community in Borno State in Nigeria and some parts of West Africa, is having yet another seasonal outbreak which typically falls in the dry season between the months of November and April.
According to the latest reports, multiple States have recorded new cases, with fatalities reported.
In a latest advisory signed by the Director General of the Nigerian Centres For Disease Control (NCDC), Jide Idris, indicates that, as of March 2, 2025, Nigeria has recorded 2,728 suspected cases of Lassa fever, with 535 confirmed infections and 98 deaths across 14 States.
Five states account for 91% of the confirmed cases which include; Ondo 31%, Bauchi 24%,
Edo 17%, Taraba 16% and Ebonyi 3%
This yearly outbreaks have continued to claim lives, raising concerns on why the Nigerian health authorities have yet to find sustainable solutions, 56 years after it was first discovered.
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In an interview with ait.live, a renowned virologist, Prof Oyewole Tomori insisted that decentralizing the NCDC’s operations will strengthen the country’s fight against Lassa fever.
He faulted State governments for not doing enough to protect the health of its citizens.
Experts argued that sub-nationals, where the outbreaks occur yearly have either been docile or merely reactive, another reminder of the urgent need to invest and strengthen health and response mechanisms to deal with emerging and perennial diseases outbreaks
Additionally, public awareness on prevention strategies, rapid diagnostic tools and training of healthcare workers on early detection and case management techniques should remain a priority.
(Editor: Ken Eseni)
