Nigeria has established an emergency response centre following an outbreak of Lassa fever, which has claimed 190 lives and infected 1,154 people across six states, the Nigerian Center for Disease Control (NCDC) announced on Monday.
Lassa fever, a viral haemorrhagic illness primarily spread through contact with food or household items contaminated by rodent urine or excrement, has been categorized as a high-risk outbreak by the NCDC.
Jide Idris, head of the NCDC, emphasized the urgency of the situation, explaining that peak transmission occurs during the dry season, between October and May, when human exposure to rodents increases.
“Activating the Emergency Operations Centre will ensure seamless coordination of the control and management of the outbreak,” Idris stated during a press briefing in Abuja.
The virus, which can also be transmitted between people via bodily fluids, presents symptoms such as fever, headaches, and, in severe cases, death.
The World Health Organization has classified Lassa fever as a priority disease due to its epidemic potential and the absence of an approved vaccine. This latest outbreak underscores the urgent need for increased vigilance and a robust public health response.
