The Nigeria Center for Disease Control and Prevention has reported a total of 7,973 suspected cases, 982 confirmed cases, and 168 deaths from Lassa fever in Nigeria as of August 25, 2024.
These cases were documented across 28 states and 127 Local Government Areas in the country. Data released by the NCDC also indicated that 34 healthcare workers were among those affected by the disease.
In addressing the situation, the Director-General of the NCDC, Dr. Jide Idris, highlighted various response activities that have been undertaken.
These include organizing the 2024 National Lassa Fever After Action Review workshop, conducting multisectoral Lassa Fever webinar series, and participating in the LF Taskforce Secretariat Meeting with CEPI, among other initiatives.
Dr. Idris further outlined the action plan, emphasizing the efforts towards advocating to the Governors’ and Commissioners’ Forum for essential political and financial support.
The aim is to secure commitment and resources needed for an effective response to the outbreak.
Additionally, he mentioned other measures being taken, such as:
“Stepping up Risk Communication and Community Engagement interventions, including broadcasting key prevention messages on radio and TV stations in local languages from September, and sustaining the narrative throughout the peak season.
“Also, supporting states to conduct operational readiness one month before the outbreak season, and conducting environmental sanitation and deratisation exercises in five hotspot states to reduce the rodent population to the barest minimum by October 2024.
“Early deployment of the National Rapid Response Team to support readiness actions and response, and deploying surge staff, including clinicians, laboratorians, IPC specialists, and contact tracers, from October, sustaining interventions throughout the outbreak season.”
He encouraged Nigerians to take precautionary measures to combat the disease.
