The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has moved early to avert a seasonal surge in Lassa fever, unveiling an Accelerated Readiness Plan to strengthen prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment before the disease enters its peak transmission period.
Director-General of the NCDC, Dr Jide Idris, announced the plan on Wednesday in Abuja at a press briefing on Lassa fever prevention and preparedness for the 2026/2027 season.
Idris said although Lassa fever occurred throughout the year, cases usually increased during the dry season, particularly between November and April, stressing that the period before the peak provided an opportunity to strengthen preparedness and reduce the risk of transmission.
He said the plan was developed following an After Action Review of the 2026 Lassa fever response conducted by the NCDC, states and partners to identify what worked, gaps in the response and measures required to improve preparedness for the next season.
According to him, the review identified several challenges, including delays in seeking appropriate care, self-treatment, healthcare worker infections, persistent environmental and household risks, inadequate state ownership and delays in releasing resources for preparedness.
He also identified a gap between the capacity available “on paper” and what was actually functional in health facilities.
ALSO READ: Offshore investments must translate to maritime jobs — NUPRC
“For example, having a dialysis machine does not mean dialysis is available if the trained personnel, consumables, water treatment, maintenance and other requirements needed to operate it are not in place,” Idris said.
He said the lessons from the 2026 response underscored the need to strengthen the entire Lassa fever response chain, from prevention and early detection to diagnosis, referral and treatment.
“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,” he said.
Idris said the Accelerated Readiness Plan would be implemented nationwide, with additional attention and resources directed to locations where available evidence indicated that the burden and risk of Lassa fever were highest.
He said priority actions under the plan included earlier detection of cases, prompt reporting and investigation of suspected infections, reduction of exposure to rodents through improved environmental sanitation and waste management, and safer food handling and storage.
The NCDC boss said the agency would also work with environmental health, agriculture and livestock authorities to address the risks associated with rodents and their interaction with human populations.
He said Nigerians would be encouraged to seek medical care early, while healthcare providers would be strengthened to recognise suspected Lassa fever, protect themselves, report cases and make appropriate referrals.
Idris added that the agency would ensure faster transportation and testing of samples and timely transmission of laboratory results to healthcare providers.
He said prompt action would also be taken around confirmed cases through surveillance, environmental health, community engagement, food safety and infection prevention measures.
On healthcare workers, the Director-General said the NCDC would strengthen infection prevention and control measures, particularly in high-risk facilities, through intensified support, including the IPC Ring Strategy.
“Appropriate precautions should begin from the first point of contact with a patient and not only after Lassa fever has been confirmed,” he said.
He said treatment centres would be prepared to receive and manage patients, while essential medicines, laboratory supplies and protective equipment would be made available where needed.
Idris said every infection involving a healthcare worker should be investigated, with exposed workers appropriately followed up and identified gaps promptly addressed.
“We must learn from each healthcare worker infection and use what we learn to prevent another,” he said.
He urged healthcare workers to “THINK LASSA. PROTECT. REPORT. REFER.”
The NCDC chief said the agency would also continue research into changing patterns in the epidemiology of Lassa fever, including whether rodents other than Mastomys could be contributing to transmission and the possible role of asymptomatic infections.
He said genomic sequencing would be used to better understand emerging patterns, while the NCDC would continue to support efforts towards the development of candidate Lassa fever vaccines and rapid diagnostic tests.
Idris, however, stressed that government action alone could not prevent Lassa fever, urging individuals, households and communities to adopt practical measures to reduce exposure to rodents.
He advised Nigerians to protect food by storing rice, garri, beans, maize and other food items in properly covered containers and avoiding practices that could expose food to rodents, their urine or faeces.
He urged households to block openings through which rodents could enter homes, reduce clutter and other hiding places for rodents, and ensure proper disposal of refuse.
He also warned Nigerians against handling rodents with bare hands or unnecessary contact with rodents, their urine, faeces or other body fluids.
On early treatment, Idris advised people who develop fever or feel unwell, particularly those living in or who had travelled to areas where Lassa fever occurs, to seek medical attention promptly.
He specifically warned against prolonged self-treatment for malaria.
“If you have treated what you believe to be malaria and your symptoms persist, please do not continue treating yourself at home. Seek appropriate medical attention. Early recognition and appropriate treatment can make a significant difference,” he said.
The NCDC said it would intensify the “Turn a Community Orange” (TACO) approach in selected high-risk communities to promote preventive behaviours, strengthen preparedness and encourage early reporting and referral.
Idris also called on state and local governments, particularly those with recurrent Lassa fever transmission, to use the pre-peak period to strengthen their readiness.
He urged states to improve environmental sanitation and waste management, engage environmental health officers and community structures, and ensure that health facilities were prepared to recognise suspected cases, protect healthcare workers, report promptly and refer appropriately.
States, he added, should ensure functional surveillance systems, clear laboratory referral pathways and readiness of designated treatment facilities, while ensuring that essential medicines, laboratory supplies and infection prevention commodities reached facilities before cases increased.
“Preparedness is most effective when we act before the pressure on our health system rises,” Idris said.
He stressed that Lassa fever prevention and control required a One Health approach involving the health, environment, agriculture and livestock sectors, local governments, communities and partners.
He urged Nigerians to remember five key preventive measures: “Protect your food. Keep rodents away. Keep your surroundings clean. Avoid unsafe contact with rodents. Seek care early.”
Idris said the country had an opportunity to act before the seasonal increase in transmission, adding: “We should not wait for cases to rise before we act. The time to prepare is now.”
WATCH TOP VIDEOS FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE TV