Importance Score: 85 / 100 🟢
Lassa Fever Outbreak in Nigeria Escalates, Public Health Crisis Deepens
A rapidly spreading outbreak of Lassa fever, a viral hemorrhagic illness transmitted by infected rodents, is causing significant concern across Nigeria, triggering urgent public health alerts and placing immense pressure on the nation’s healthcare infrastructure. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) reports that, in their most recent update for the week of March 24–30, 2025, there have been 3,779 suspected instances of Lassa fever nationwide.
Key Statistics and Impact
Out of the suspected cases, 659 have received laboratory confirmation. Tragically, the outbreak has resulted in 122 deaths this year, yielding a case fatality rate of approximately 18.5%. Within a single week, 300 new suspected cases emerged along with three fatalities. This sharp increase underscores the escalating severity of the outbreak. The disease, which in severe forms can manifest as internal bleeding from various orifices including the mouth, nose, and eyes, has been confirmed in at least 18 Nigerian states.
Geographical Spread and High-Risk Areas
Suspected cases, however, have been identified in as many as 33 states, indicating a potentially wider geographical distribution. The majority of confirmed infections, constituting 71%, are concentrated in Ondo, Bauchi, and Edo states.
Vulnerable Populations and Healthcare Concerns
The NCDC data indicates that young adults, especially those in their twenties, are disproportionately affected. Pregnant women are considered to be at heightened risk. Due to this elevated risk, some medical facilities have issued advisories for pregnant healthcare professionals, recommending they remain at home during this period.
Challenges Faced by Healthcare Workers
Healthcare professionals are reporting substantial challenges in delivering care to patients due to inadequate supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE). According to reports from medical staff, facilities are facing shortages, particularly during periods of high patient volume. This scarcity of PPE is forcing some healthcare workers to procure their own supplies, highlighting the strain on the healthcare system.
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“We may have up to 12 suspected Lassa fever cases in a day during peak periods,” explained one healthcare worker. “The PPE is never enough. Sometimes we run out.”
“Other times, we buy the PPE from our pockets,” she added. “There’s no preventative medication for Lassa fever available currently.”
Outbreak Trajectory and Historical Context
The current outbreak follows alerts issued by the NCDC in December 2024 concerning a surge in infections. By the close of 2024, Nigeria had already documented 1,309 confirmed cases and 214 deaths.
International Implications and Cross-Border Transmission
The global health community is also monitoring the situation closely. In February 2025, a case of Lassa fever was confirmed in the United Kingdom in a patient who had recently traveled from Nigeria, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). The patient received a diagnosis in England and was placed in isolation for treatment. This imported case has amplified concerns regarding potential international spread, although human-to-human transmission remains uncommon without direct contact with infected bodily fluids.
Understanding Lassa Fever: Origins and Transmission
Lassa fever is caused by the Lassa virus, initially identified in 1969 following the deaths of two missionary nurses in Lassa town, Borno State, Nigeria. The virus is considered endemic in regions of West Africa, encompassing Nigeria, Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.
Primary Transmission Pathways
The primary route of transmission is through exposure to the excrement, urine, or saliva of Mastomys rats, a rodent species prevalent across West Africa. Human infections often arise from consuming contaminated food or inhaling airborne particles from rodent waste. In some parts of Nigeria, infection can also occur during the preparation of Mastomys rodents for consumption.
Human-to-Human Transmission
While less frequent, human-to-human transmission can occur through direct contact with the blood, urine, faeces, or other bodily fluids of infected individuals, particularly within healthcare environments.
Symptoms, Severity, and Treatment
The onset of illness often presents with mild symptoms such as fever, headaches, vomiting, diarrhoea, sore throat, and generalized weakness. However, in approximately 20% of cases, the condition can worsen, leading to internal bleeding, multi-organ failure, respiratory distress, facial swelling, and neurological complications including seizures.
Although up to 80% of infections are either asymptomatic or mild, severe cases can be fatal, especially without timely medical intervention. Currently, there is no licensed vaccine available for Lassa fever, although research efforts are ongoing.
“We hope there will be a vaccine soon to protect everybody, including health workers,” stated a leading physician involved in Lassa fever response. “But in the meantime, maintaining a high level of hygiene is very important along with using PPE.”
Personal preventative measures, such as careful hygiene practices at home, are also being emphasized to minimize risks.
Public Health Response and Control Measures
The NCDC is actively collaborating with local authorities and international health organizations to monitor and control the ongoing outbreak. Public health authorities are underscoring the critical importance of rodent control, food safety practices, and public awareness campaigns to mitigate exposure risks within communities.