…Heightens preparations for 2026/2027 Lassa fever season

The Director-General, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Dr Jide Idris has identified Ondo, Bauchi, Taraba, Edo and Benue as the five high burden states for Lassa Fever in the country, stressing that they account for 86 per cent of cases in 2026.

He called on healthcare workers, state governments, communities and all Nigerians to do their part in preventing infections, reducing deaths and strengthen preparedness for Lassa fever.

Speaking on the agency ‘s preparations for the 2026/2027 Lassa fever season on Wednesday in Abuja, Idris stated that Lassa fever occurs throughout the year, but cases tend to increase during the dry season, particularly between November and April adding that NCDC plans to accelerated readiness within the period before Nigeria’s annual Lassa fever peak period.

He noted that following the 2026 Lassa fever response, NCDC, together with States and partners, conducted an After Action Review to look carefully at what worked, what did not work as well as expected, and what they need to do differently as they prepare for the next season.

According to him, some of the key issues identified during the review, include , delays in seeking appropriate care, including self-treatment and seeking care at several points before Lassa fever is suspected, continued infections among healthcare workers, particularly when health facilities are under pressure, persistent environmental and household risks.

Others include poor sanitation, unsafe food storage and exposure to rodents, limited State ownership and over-reliance on national resources, as well as delays in the release of resources needed for preparedness.

He said, ” These lessons reinforce why we need to act before cases increase. We must look at the entire pathway, from prevention and early detection to diagnosis, referral and treatment, and ensure that the systems, services and resources that are expected to be available can actually function when and where they are needed.We are not yet in that peak period, and that gives us an important opportunity to act now”.

The NCDC boss observed that the agency’s” approach during this period will be firmly grounded in One Health as lassa fever cannot be prevented and controlled by the health sector acting alone adding that environment, agriculture, livestock, local governments and communities have distinct but complementary responsibilities.

Idris pointed out that the NCDC have developed an Accelerated Readiness Plan focused on what needs to be done between now and the peak Lassa fever seaon adding that the Plan will be implemented across the country, with additional attention and resources directed to areas where the burden and risk are greatest.

He explained that under the Plan, the priority actions are to detect Lassa fever cases earlier and ensure suspected cases are reported and investigated quickly, reduce the risk of exposure to rodents through better environmental sanitation, proper waste management, safer food handling and storage, and other practical prevention measures.,
encourage people to seek care early and ensure that the first healthcare providers they visit can recognise a suspected case, protect themselves, report and refer appropriately.

Idris also observed that the NCDC will ensure samples can be transported and tested quickly, and that results get back to healthcare providers without unnecessary delay, act quickly around every confirmed case, bringing together surveillance, environmental health, community engagement, food safety and infection prevention actions to address identified risks in the affected household, community or health facilities and protect healthcare workers and strengthen infection prevention and control in health facilities among others .

He said, “Appropriate precautions should begin from the first point of contact with a patient and not only after Lassa fever has been confirmed. In high-risk facilities, we will intensify support, including through the IPC Ring Strategy, to identify and correct critical gaps, ensure treatment centres are ready to receive and properly manage patients, ensure essential medicines, laboratory supplies and protective equipment are available where they are needed”.

Strengthen coordination and readiness for an increase in cases, and quickly address important gaps as they are identified.

Whenever a healthcare worker is infected, the circumstances should be investigated, exposed healthcare workers appropriately followed up and identified gaps addressed promptly. We must learn from each healthcare worker infection and use what we learn to prevent another.

Idris noted that while preparedness and response actions will be implemented nationally, targeted action does not mean limited responsibility. Lassa fever can occur in many parts of the country. Every State, Local Government, health facility, community and household has a role to play.

He called on Nigerians to protect thier food items are stored in properly covered containers, keep rodents away from their homes and where possible, block openings through which rodents can enter your home.

Idris stated that the NCDC will intensify the Turn a Community Orange, or TACO, approach in selected high-risk communities and support communities to put these preventive behaviours into practice, strengthen preparedness and encourage early reporting and referrals.

He called on States and Local Governments, particularly those with recurrent Lassa fever transmission, to use this period to strengthen their readiness, strengthen environmental sanitation and waste management, ensure that health facilities are prepared to recognise suspected cases, protect their staff, report promptly and refer appropriately.

Idris emphasized that states should also ensure that surveillance remains functional, laboratory referral pathways are clear, designated treatment facilities are ready, and essential medicines, laboratory supplies and infection prevention commodities can reach the facilities where they are needed.