Stepping Up Response to Curb Infectious Diseases in Nigeria

Abuja, 21 November, 2024 – In Nigeria, weak populations, particularly these in underserved communities, remain at high possibility of infectious diseases, including Lassa fever—an acute viral hemorrhagic illness triggered by the Lassa virus.

Endemic in Nigeria, Lassa fever continues to have an effect on thousands yearly, with the dry season (December–April) being the top transmission length. In 2024, the illness has been particularly excessive, with 1,059 confirmed conditions reported across 28 states, resulting in 175 deaths (16.6% case fatality charge). Alarmingly, 35 healthcare workers had been infected during the outbreak, underscoring the pressing need for sturdy infection prevention measures.

The Lassa virus is essentially transmitted to americans by exposure to food or home goods contaminated with the urine or feces of infected Mastomys rats. Secondary transmission can occur by inform contact with the bodily fluids of infected individuals, posing well-known risks to healthcare and laboratory workers who lack satisfactory protective measures.

Scaling Up Preparedness and Response Efforts

Because the dry season approaches its top, the World Health Organization (WHO) is intensifying its reinforce to the Nigerian authorities, the Nigeria Centre for Illness Retain a watch on (NCDC), and command governments to reinforce preparedness and response.

Reaffirming WHO’s dedication to curbing Lassa fever, Dr. Ann Fortin, WHO Team Lead for Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) Cluster, emphasized: “With funding from the Authorities of Canada (by the CanGiVE Mission), WHO is helping reinforce early detection and affirmation of suspected conditions, ensuring optimum supportive care, and enhancing infection prevention and preserve watch over measures in designated health companies across affected states.”

WHO’s technical support specializes in coordinated responses, improved surveillance, efficient health information management, and possibility verbal substitute and neighborhood engagement. Advocacy efforts are additionally underway to align key stakeholders for a unified and additional functional response.

Focused Interventions in High-Burden States

In Benue Bid, belief to be one of the most hardest-hit areas with 64 confirmed conditions and 11 deaths in 2024, WHO has implemented centered interventions to obtain local skill. These efforts include: – 

• Training distinguished healthcare workers, speedily response groups, neighborhood volunteers, and surveillance focal points in high-possibility local authorities areas.

•  Promoting early illness detection and neighborhood-led responses. 

• Raising awareness about behavioral adjustments, equivalent to improved ruin management and rodent preserve watch over.

Expressing appreciation for WHO’s reinforce, Dr. Paul M. Asema, Bid Epidemiologist for Benue Bid Ministry of Health and Human Products and companies, acknowledged: “The command deeply appreciates WHO’s contributions to protecting the health of our americans, particularly during these excessive outbreaks. A One Health approach remains key to strengthening our response and ensuring progress towards health for all.”

Broader Reinforce At some point of Precedence States

In addition to Benue, WHO is providing excessive reinforce to Edo, Ondo, Taraba, Bauchi, and Ebonyi states, focusing on:

• Supplying private protective tools (PPE) for healthcare workers.

•  Improving diagnostic and laboratory processes, including efficient sample series.

• Enhancing case management and standardizing infection prevention practices.

• Disseminating health messages to communities, reaching over 35,000 individuals with life-saving information about Lassa fever prevention and preserve watch over.

Empowering Communities: A Story of Hope

In the Ortese Camp for Internally Displaced Individuals (IDPs) in Benue Bid, WHO’s neighborhood engagement efforts contain equipped excessive reinforce to residents indulge in Mrs. Nyioun Adaga. “After I heard a neighbor in the camp had Lassa fever, I modified into skittish,” remembers Mrs. Adaga. “However the healthcare team sensitized us on prevention measures, giving me self assurance to offer protection to myself and my household. I’m grateful for their steerage.

Aligned with National and International Health Priorities

WHO’s interventions align with its Country Cooperation Approach 2023–2027, the thirteenth Total Programme of Work (GPW13), and key Federal Authorities frameworks, including the National Health Act, National Action Idea for Health Security, and Health Sector Renewal Initiative.

By leveraging multi-sectoral approaches, WHO and its partners are working tirelessly to be certain that no person is left behind in the war against Lassa fever and various infectious diseases in Nigeria.