Recently, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) announced that Lassa fever claimed 952 lives in 2024 despite the efforts to prevent further outbreak of the virus.

Director General (DG) of NCDC, Dr. Jide Idris, said the agency is committed to safeguarding the health of all Nigerians. Idris said Nigerians should avoid consuming foods infected by rodents by imbibing the culture of proper storage of their foods to prevent Lassa fever infections.

However, health experts have advised that the government should focus more on developing a vaccine to prevent further outbreak of the virus while also educating the masses on how to avoid Lassa fever infection.

A Medical Virologist/Infectious Disease expert based in Abuja, Dr. Solomon Chollom, said there is a need for the development of a vaccine to prevent Lassa fever outbreak, stressing that it is a big challenge Nigeria has been battling with for over 40 years. He said the lack of a vaccine has resulted in deaths of many Nigerians.

“It is the role of the Nigerian government to sponsor the production of vaccines in order to prevent further mortality caused by the virus,” he said. Chollom stated that Lassa fever has been a big challenge right from when it was first discovered in the late 70s. He said one of the peculiar challenges is that it leverages seasonal changes, explaining that the vector of the virus is rodents/rats.

“These rats live in the bushes and the homes. During the rainy season there are enough grasses and bushes so they are comfortable as they get all their food in the bush. When the dry season sets in, there is always bush burning and their lives are threatened in the sense that their shelter is destroyed and they lack access to food.

“The next option for them is to move to homes where they can access foods, especially foods that are not well stored,” he said. Chollom said that to wage war against the virus, Nigerians need to change their culture in terms of food storage.

Public Health Physician and Health Promotion Specialist, Dr. Obinna Ebirim, also said that Lassa fever is caused by a virus called Lassa that is present in the faeces and urine of a special kind of rat.

“It is difficult for many to differentiate the rat types; therefore people should just stay away from the urine and faeces of rats. Infected persons can pass the infections to uninfected persons through contact with blood or body fluids while those working in hospitals or laboratories can pick it from tools with this virus,” he said. He noted that to prevent Lassa fever, people must keep foods or drinks away from rats and protect themselves and others from being affected by the virus.

“To keep rats away, people must keep their environment clean and appropriately dispose of their refuse. People must reignite community sanitation practices.

“To keep foods and drinks away from rats, foods must be stored in rodent-proof containers; foods must be properly cooked before eating and water well boiled. People should avoid eating rat delicacies and open spreading of grains where they are exposed to rodents. To protect people from those carrying the virus, we must avoid blood or body fluid contact with infected persons,” he added.

Ebirim stated that laboratories must implement appropriate handling of Lassa samples while healthcare workers must apply infection prevention and control measures like hand washing, respiratory hygiene and use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs).

He explained that in terms of Lassa fever treatment there is an anti-viral drug called ribavirin, which is effective in treating the virus, but noted that it works better when given early.

“However, it is difficult to diagnose Lassa fever early in the course of the disease because its symptoms are seen in many other diseases. But there are reference laboratories where testing to make a definitive diagnosis can be carried out,” he noted.

Ebirim stated that government at all levels should continue to create awareness on Lassa fever, its prevention and what to do once there is a suspected case.

“This must be done in a language and through means that resonate with the diverse communities in Nigeria. Also, the NCDC) should continue case reporting, contact tracing and case management of lassa fever,” he said.

He urged the government to ensure that the drug – ribavirin – for treatment of patients and tools that protect those who take care of the patients are available in public health facilities.

“While government plays its role, individuals have roles to play in keeping our environment clean and avoiding eating rodents or rodent-infested foods.

“Lassa fever is real, it kills about one to 15 per cent of those infected, and there are no vaccines yet; so prevention is our best bet.” A Public Health Physician and Lecturer at the Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM), Ikeja, Lagos, Dr. Modupe Akinyinka, said the transmission of Lassa fever virus to humans occurs most commonly through ingestion or inhalation.

She explained that mastomys rodents shed the virus in urine and droppings and direct contact with these materials, through touching soiled objects, eating contaminated food or exposure to open cuts or sores, can lead to Lassa fever infection.

She, therefore, advised people to avoid contact with mastomys rodents, especially in the geographic regions where outbreaks occur to prevent the virus. Akinyinka said the government should ensure that people receive health education on how to prevent the virus and early detection to avoid spread, while also funding healthcare to quickly identify and treat patients as well as research for possible vaccination.