Abuja, 21 November, 2024 – In Nigeria, inclined populations, especially these in underserved communities, remain at excessive trouble of infectious ailments, including Lassa fever—an acute viral hemorrhagic illness induced by the Lassa virus.
Endemic in Nigeria, Lassa fever continues to impact thousands yearly, with the dry season (December–April) being the height transmission period. In 2024, the illness has been particularly severe, with 1,059 confirmed cases reported during 28 states, resulting in 175 deaths (16.6% case fatality price). Alarmingly, 35 healthcare workers were infected during the outbreak, underscoring the pressing need for sturdy infection prevention measures.
The Lassa virus is essentially transmitted to humans through publicity to meals or family objects contaminated with the urine or feces of infected Mastomys rats. Secondary transmission can happen through articulate contact with the bodily fluids of infected individuals, posing important risks to healthcare and laboratory workers who lack satisfactory protective measures.
Scaling Up Preparedness and Response Efforts
As the dry season approaches its peak, the World Health Group (WHO) is intensifying its toughen to the Nigerian govt, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Adjust (NCDC), and verbalize governments to beef up preparedness and response.
Reaffirming WHO’s dedication to curbing Lassa fever, Dr. Ann Fortin, WHO Crew Lead for Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) Cluster, emphasized: “With funding from the Government of Canada (throughout the CanGiVE Project), WHO is helping beef up early detection and confirmation of suspected cases, ensuring optimum supportive care, and enhancing infection prevention and retain watch over measures in designated health facilities during affected states.”
WHO’s technical help specializes in coordinated responses, improved surveillance, effective health information administration, and trouble verbal change and community engagement. Advocacy efforts are also underway to align key stakeholders for a unified and extra effective response.
Targeted Interventions in High-Burden States
In Benue Pronounce, one in every of the hardest-hit areas with 64 confirmed cases and 11 deaths in 2024, WHO has utilized targeted interventions to manufacture native capacity. These efforts include: –
-
Training main healthcare workers, snappy response groups, community volunteers, and surveillance focal points in excessive-trouble native govt areas.
-
Promoting early illness detection and community-led responses.
-
Raising consciousness about behavioral adjustments, similar to improved extinguish administration and rodent retain watch over.
Expressing appreciation for WHO’s toughen, Dr. Paul M. Asema, Pronounce Epidemiologist for Benue Pronounce Ministry of Health and Human Companies and products, said: “The verbalize deeply appreciates WHO’s contributions to protecting the health of our of us, especially during these severe outbreaks. A One Health map remains key to strengthening our response and ensuring development towards health for all.”
Broader Enhance Across Priority States
In addition to Benue, WHO is providing severe toughen to Edo, Ondo, Taraba, Bauchi, and Ebonyi states, focusing on:
-
Supplying non-public protective tools (PPE) for healthcare workers.
-
Improving diagnostic and laboratory processes, including effective sample sequence.
-
Enhancing case administration and standardizing infection prevention practices.
-
Disseminating health messages to communities, reaching over 35,000 individuals with existence-saving information about Lassa fever prevention and retain watch over.
Empowering Communities: A Story of Hope
In the Ortese Camp for Internally Displaced Individuals (IDPs) in Benue Pronounce, WHO’s community engagement efforts gain equipped severe toughen to residents adore Mrs. Nyioun Adaga. “After I heard a neighbor in the camp had Lassa fever, I was as soon as troubled,” remembers Mrs. Adaga. “However the healthcare group sensitized us on prevention measures, giving me confidence to offer protection to myself and my family. I am grateful for his or her steering.
Aligned with National and Global Health Priorities
WHO’s interventions align with its Country Cooperation Procedure 2023–2027, the thirteenth Total Programme of Work (GPW13), and key Federal Government frameworks, including the National Health Act, National Motion Thought for Health Safety, and Health Sector Renewal Initiative.
By leveraging multi-sectoral approaches, WHO and its companions are working tirelessly to be certain no one is left behind in the fight against Lassa fever and diversified infectious ailments in Nigeria.
