NCDC activates emergency centre as Lassa fever cases rise to 1,154
Tamarauemi Ebimini
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has recorded 1,154 confirmed cases of Lassa fever out of the 9,492 suspected cases, and 190 deaths so far in 2024.
The Director General of the NCDC, Jide Idris, who disclosed this at a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, noted that the Emergency Operations Centre has been activated for Lassa fever, and the risk assessment categorised it as high.
Idris said the agency continues to address the current Lassa Fever outbreak during this peak season.
“Lassa fever remains endemic in Nigeria, posing a significant public health risk across all states. The disease occurs throughout the year, with peak transmission typically recorded between October and May. Outbreaks typically occur during the dry season, when human exposure to rodents is highest.
“Cumulatively this year, we have recorded 9,492 suspected cases, 1,154 confirmed with 190 deaths. Six states make up 89 per cent of the confirmed cases, namely: Ondo (29.7 per cent), Edo (22.7 per cent), Bauchi (17.9 per cent), Taraba (8.8 per cent), Benue (5.6 per cent), and Ebonyi (four per cent). 10 LGAs (Owo, Etsako West, Esan West, Kirfi, Ardo-Kola, Toro, Ose, Akure South, Jalingo and Idah) accounted for almost 59 per cent of the confirmed cases.
“There has been an alarming increase in Lassa fever cases and deaths in the last four weeks, signalling the outbreak’s severity,” he noted.
He stated that the case fatality rate has consistently remained high at over 13 per cent, and there is a rise in the number of suspected cases compared to a similar timeline in 2023.
He, however, said it could be attributed to increased and enhanced surveillance.
He said most cases continue to emerge from endemic areas, like Bauchi, Ondo, Edo, Taraba Ebonyi and Enugu, underscoring the need for targeted interventions in these states.
“These trends therefore demand a coordinated effort to strengthen our response and protect our vulnerable populations. Our goal is to reduce the number of cases and importantly, deaths
In addressing this situation, it is important to highlight the proactive measures taken by the NCDC so far.
“These efforts demonstrate our commitment to preparedness, coordination, and response at all levels. We conducted a dynamic risk assessment to determine the appropriate emergency activation level. The risk has been categorized as High and Response Level Two advised and efforts to be tailored specifically to the states currently experiencing increased case burden.
“The EOC was activated to ensure seamless coordination of Lassa fever control and management activities using a One Health approach,” he said.
He highlighted that in preparation for the outbreak season, critical medical supplies, infection prevention and control materials, and laboratory diagnostic tools and materials have been distributed to various states, nationwide.
He added that Lassa Fever testing laboratories have also been expanded from about nine to 13, and more will still be upgraded.
According to him, rodent control exercises have been conducted in high-burden states like Edo, Ebonyi, Ondo, and Benue, targeting communities with high case counts by Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.
The NCDC boss advised the public to keep their environment clean, store foods safely, avoid drying food stuff outside on the ground or roadside, discourage bush burning and deforestation, and practice good and personal hygiene.
He also advised healthcare workers to always practice standard infection prevention and control practices.
