The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has launched an Accelerated Readiness Plan to forestall a seasonal surge in Lassa fever, warning Nigerians against prolonged self-treatment for malaria as the country approaches the peak transmission period.
Director-General of the NCDC, Dr Jide Idris, disclosed this yesterday 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.
He said the period before the peak transmission season offered governments, healthcare facilities and communities an opportunity to strengthen preparedness and prevent avoidable infections and deaths.
According to him, the Accelerated Readiness Plan was developed following an After Action Review of the 2026 Lassa fever response conducted by the NCDC, state governments and development partners.
He said the review identified delays in seeking medical care, self-treatment, infections among healthcare workers, environmental and household risks, inadequate state ownership and delays in releasing preparedness resources as some of the major challenges requiring urgent attention.
The review, he added, also exposed a gap between healthcare capacity available “on paper” and what was actually functional in health facilities.
“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.
The NCDC boss said lessons from the 2026 response showed that the entire Lassa fever response chain must be strengthened, 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 plan would be implemented nationwide, with additional attention and resources directed to areas where the burden and risk of Lassa fever were highest.
He listed priority measures to include early detection and reporting of suspected cases, prompt investigation, improved environmental sanitation and waste management, safer food handling and storage, as well as reduction of exposure to rodents.
He said the NCDC would collaborate with environmental health, agriculture and livestock authorities to address risks associated with rodents and their interaction with human populations.
NCDC warns against prolonged malaria treatment
Idris urged Nigerians who develop fever or feel unwell, particularly those living in or travelling from areas where Lassa fever occurs, to seek medical attention promptly.
He specifically warned against prolonged self-treatment for malaria, saying persistent symptoms after malaria treatment should not be ignored.
“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.
Healthcare workers at risk
The NCDC director-general said the agency would intensify infection prevention and control measures in high-risk healthcare facilities through increased support, including the IPC Ring Strategy.
He stressed that healthcare workers must take appropriate precautions from their first contact with patients instead of waiting for Lassa fever to be confirmed.
“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 designated treatment centres would be prepared to manage patients, while essential medicines, laboratory supplies and personal protective equipment would be provided where required.
Idris said every Lassa fever infection involving a healthcare worker must be investigated, while exposed workers should be monitored and identified gaps addressed.
“We must learn from each healthcare worker infection and use what we learn to prevent another,” he said.
He urged healthcare workers to embrace the message: “THINK LASSA. PROTECT. REPORT. REFER.”
Protect food, keep rodents away
The NCDC chief said households and communities had a critical role to play in preventing Lassa fever transmission.
He advised Nigerians to store rice, garri, beans, maize and other food items in properly covered containers to prevent contamination by rodents, their urine and faeces.
He also urged households to block openings through which rodents could enter their homes, reduce clutter and potential hiding places, dispose of refuse properly and avoid unnecessary contact with rodents.
According to him, Lassa fever prevention requires a One Health approach, involving the health, environment, agriculture and livestock sectors, local governments, communities and development partners.
He said the NCDC would intensify its “Turn a Community Orange” (TACO) initiative in selected high-risk communities to promote preventive behaviours, strengthen preparedness and encourage early reporting and referral.
States urged to prepare now
Idris called on state and local governments, especially those with recurrent Lassa fever transmission, to use the pre-peak period to strengthen their preparedness.
He urged states to improve environmental sanitation and waste management, engage environmental health officers and community structures, and ensure that health facilities were ready to recognise suspected cases, protect healthcare workers, report infections promptly and make appropriate referrals.
States, he added, must ensure functional surveillance systems, clear laboratory referral pathways and readiness of designated treatment centres.
They should also ensure that essential medicines, laboratory supplies and infection prevention commodities reach health facilities before cases begin to rise.
“Preparedness is most effective when we act before the pressure on our health system rises,” Idris said.
The NCDC DG disclosed that the agency would continue research into changing patterns in Lassa fever epidemiology, including whether rodents other than Mastomys could contribute to transmission and the possible role of asymptomatic infections.
He said genomic sequencing would also be used to improve understanding of emerging transmission patterns, while the agency would continue supporting efforts towards the development of candidate Lassa fever vaccines and rapid diagnostic tests.
Idris 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.”
He said Nigeria had a crucial opportunity to act before the seasonal increase in transmission, warning that waiting for cases to rise would put unnecessary pressure on the health system.
“We should not wait for cases to rise before we act. The time to prepare is now,” Idris said.
