The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) have called on doctors and healthcare workers nationwide to heighten vigilance as Lassa fever cases continue to rise.
In an advisory signed by Dr. Jide Idris, NCDC Director-General, clinicians were reminded that Lassa fever, a deadly viral haemorrhagic disease, peaks during the dry season (Nov–Apr) and has already infected healthcare workers across multiple states.
Doctors are urged to consider Lassa fever in patients with persistent fever unresponsive to malaria treatment, plus symptoms like headache, vomiting, abdominal pain, unexplained bleeding, or facial swelling. Early detection, prompt isolation, and notifying authorities are critical to stopping spread in hospitals.
The NCDC stressed strict infection control: proper PPE use, hand hygiene, safe disposal of sharps, and disinfecting clinical areas. Facilities must ensure adequate supplies of gloves, gowns, masks, and disinfectants while training all staff—including cleaners and lab personnel—on safety protocols.
Healthcare workers who show symptoms were warned against self-medication, and to seek immediate medical evaluation to prevent severe outcomes. Hospitals should maintain functional isolation units and clear triage systems.
“Doctors are key leaders in infection prevention and national outbreak preparedness,” the advisory noted, urging sustained vigilance to protect both staff and patients.
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