The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has identified delays in seeking care, healthcare worker infections and gaps in the functionality of health facilities as key challenges that could undermine Nigeria’s preparedness for the 2026/2027 Lassa fever season.

The health agency’s Director-General, Jide Idris, disclosed this in an advisory issued on Wednesday ahead of the peak Lassa fever season, which usually occurs between November and April.

Mr Idris said although Lassa fever occurs throughout the year, the period before the peak season provides an opportunity for the government, health facilities and communities to strengthen preparedness before cases increase.

Lessons from 2026 response

According to him, an After Action Review conducted following the 2026 Lassa fever response identified several gaps requiring urgent attention.

These include delays in seeking appropriate care, self-treatment and patients visiting multiple healthcare providers before Lassa fever is suspected.

Mr Idris also identified continued infections among healthcare workers, particularly when health facilities are under pressure, as well as environmental and household risks linked to poor sanitation, unsafe food storage and exposure to rodents.

He said the review also found limited state ownership and over-reliance on national resources, alongside delays in releasing resources required for preparedness.

Another concern, according to the Mr Idris, was the gap between capacity available “on paper” and what is actually functional.

“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,” he said.

Mr Idris said the lessons showed the need to strengthen the entire pathway from prevention and early detection to diagnosis, referral and treatment.

Readiness plan

To address the gaps, Mr Idris said the NCDC had developed an Accelerated Readiness Plan to guide preparedness activities before the peak season.

He said the plan would be implemented nationwide, with additional attention and resources directed to areas where available evidence shows that the burden and risk are highest.

The priorities include earlier detection and reporting of cases, improved environmental sanitation and waste management, safer food storage and handling, and reducing exposure to rodents.

The NCDC will also work to ensure that healthcare providers recognise suspected Lassa fever cases early, protect themselves, report cases and refer patients appropriately.

Mr Idris said the agency would strengthen the transportation and testing of samples, ensure results are returned promptly, and take coordinated action around confirmed cases involving surveillance, environmental health, community engagement, food safety and infection prevention.

He said infection prevention and control measures would be intensified in high-risk facilities through strategies including the IPC Ring Strategy.

In addition, treatment centres will also be supported to ensure they are ready to receive and manage patients, while essential medicines, laboratory supplies and protective equipment are available where needed.

“Think Lassa. Protect. Report. Refer,” Mr Idris urged healthcare workers, adding that every healthcare worker infection should be investigated and lessons from such infections used to prevent further transmission.

Nigerians urged to prepare

Mr Idris urged Nigerians to take practical steps to reduce their risk of infection before the peak season.

He advised households to store food such as rice, garri, beans and maize in properly covered containers and avoid drying food on bare ground or anywhere rodents can contaminate it.

He also urged people to block openings through which rodents can enter homes, reduce clutter, dispose of refuse properly and avoid unnecessary contact with rodents, their urine, faeces and other body fluids.

He advised Nigerians with fever or other symptoms, particularly those living in or who have travelled to areas where Lassa fever occurs, to seek medical attention promptly.

“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,” he said.

The NCDC, he noted, will also intensify its “Turn a Community Orange” (TACO) approach in selected high-risk communities to promote preventive practices, preparedness and early reporting and referral.

States, LGs asked to act early

Speaking on collective action, Mr Jide called on state and local governments, particularly those with recurrent Lassa fever transmission, to strengthen preparedness before cases increase.

He urged them to improve environmental sanitation and waste management, engage Environmental Health Officers and community structures, and ensure that health facilities can recognise suspected cases, protect healthcare workers, report promptly and refer appropriately.

States were also asked to ensure functional surveillance systems, clear laboratory referral pathways and ready treatment centres, while making essential medicines, laboratory supplies and infection prevention commodities available before the health system comes under pressure.

Support

Mr Idris said the NCDC would continue to support research into changing patterns of Lassa fever transmission, including whether rodents other than Mastomys species may contribute to transmission and the role of asymptomatic infection.

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He said genomic sequencing would be used to better understand these patterns, while the agency would continue supporting efforts towards developing candidate Lassa fever vaccines and rapid diagnostic tests.

Mr Idris stressed that Lassa fever prevention and control required collaboration among the health, environment, agriculture, livestock and local government sectors, as well as communities and partners.

“We have an opportunity to act before transmission increases. We should not wait for cases to rise before we act. The time to prepare is now,” he said.

Lassa fever

Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness caused by the Lassa virus, which is transmitted to humans primarily through contact with food or household items contaminated by the urine or faeces of infected rats.

It can also spread from person to person through contact with bodily fluids.

The disease often begins with fever, weakness, and headache, and may progress to more severe symptoms such as bleeding, difficulty breathing, swelling, and organ failure.

Early diagnosis and prompt treatment with Ribavirin are critical for improving survival.