Nigeria’s public health system is under renewed strain as Lassa fever infections among healthcare workers spike, with at least 15 nurses and doctors now confirmed infected and 2 fatalities already recorded. This unsettling trend exposes critical gaps in infection control protocols even as the country battles a broader Lassa fever outbreak. Here’s the full story behind what’s happening — and why experts are warning this could get worse.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has issued a stark warning after recent surveillance data revealed that 15 healthcare workers have tested positive for Lassa fever, with two deaths already confirmed. These figures come amid an ongoing outbreak spanning several high-burden states, underlining the vulnerability of frontline medical staff.

Why this outbreak is concerning:

• Healthcare workers are at increased risk. Rising infection numbers point to gaps in safety practices — including insufficient personal protective equipment (PPE) and lapses in infection prevention procedures.
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• Hotspot states include Ondo, Edo, Bauchi, Taraba, Ebonyi, and Benue, which have reported clusters of Lassa fever activity this season.

• The broader outbreak persists in the general population. National epidemiological data shows dozens of confirmed cases and multiple deaths across affected communities.

Lassa fever is a viral haemorrhagic disease primarily transmitted through contact with the urine or droppings of Mastomys rats, common across parts of Nigeria and West Africa. Person-to-person transmission is also possible, especially in medical settings lacking strict infection prevention measures.

The NCDC is urging hospitals and clinics to intensify training, improve protective gear, and enforce strict hygiene protocols, while calling on the public to reduce contact with rodents and contaminated household items. Experts emphasize that these measures are critical to preventing further infections and fatalities among healthcare workers and the general population.