Posted on: Wed 18-02-2026

As Nigeria enters the peak of its annual Lassa fever season, a troubling trend has emerged: the virus is increasingly infecting frontline health workers.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) reports that, as of Epidemiological Week Seven, more than 15 healthcare workers across multiple states have contracted Lassa fever, with two fatalities recorded. Within the first five weeks of the year alone, 31 deaths were confirmed, while over 754 suspected cases were documented across 33 local government areas in nine states.

The figures underscore not only the seasonal resurgence of the virus but also persistent weaknesses in infection prevention within health facilities, where exposure risks remain significant.

In an advisory issued in Abuja, the Director-General of the NCDC, Dr. Jide Idris, warned that strict adherence to Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) protocols remains the most effective safeguard against hospital-based transmission.

“Strict adherence to IPC practices, early detection, and coordinated state-level action will save lives and prevent further transmission,” Idris stated, describing the loss of trained medical personnel as deeply concerning and detrimental to outbreak response capacity.

The NCDC has urged state governments and facility managers to establish functional isolation units, designate treatment centres where feasible, and implement clear referral pathways for suspected cases.

 

Understanding Lassa Fever

Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness caused by the Lassa virus, a member of the arenavirus family. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the disease is zoonotic and primarily transmitted through exposure to food or household items contaminated by the urine or faeces of infected Mastomys rats, commonly known as African multimammate rats.

The disease is endemic in Nigeria and several West African countries, including Benin, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Sierra Leone and Togo. While rodent-to-human transmission is dominant, person-to-person infection can occur, particularly in healthcare settings lacking adequate infection control.

Since the major outbreak in 2016, Nigeria has recorded recurring seasonal spikes, typically between November and April. High-burden states this year include Ondo, Edo, Bauchi, Taraba, Ebonyi and Benue, with several local government areas identified as hotspots.

Healthcare workers remain the first line of defence. Their infection not only diminishes workforce capacity but also increases the risk of secondary transmission when cases are not promptly identified and isolated.

 

Voices from the Frontline

For many clinicians, the threat is no longer theoretical.

A nurse at a federal medical centre in one of the affected states, who requested anonymity, described growing anxiety around routine patient care.

“Every fever case now makes you pause. You ask yourself, is this malaria, typhoid, or something more? Sometimes the protective equipment is not enough, and you still have to attend to the patient,” she said.

 

Resident doctor Godwin Ekweke echoed similar concerns.

“The challenge is that early symptoms of Lassa fever mimic common illnesses. By the time suspicion is raised, several staff members may already have had contact with the patient,” he noted.

Clinicians emphasise that exposure risks extend beyond doctors and nurses. Cleaners, laboratory scientists, ward attendants and administrative personnel may also be vulnerable where IPC protocols are inconsistently applied.

“It’s not just about the doctors. Everyone in the facility must be protected, from the cleaner to the consultant,” said Ajasa Kehinde, Managing Director of God Is Able Hospital in Kubwa, Abuja.

 

Why Infections Are Rising

Public health experts attribute rising infections among healthcare workers to seasonal, clinical and systemic factors.

A senior doctor at Kubwa General Hospital in Abuja explained that early symptoms — fever, weakness and headache — are non-specific and frequently mistaken for malaria or other common febrile illnesses.

“In many facilities, patients are initially treated for malaria. This delay in suspecting Lassa fever can expose multiple staff members before isolation protocols are activated,” he said.

Although national IPC guidelines are well established, implementation varies widely between facilities. Lapses in hand hygiene, improper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and inadequate waste management heighten occupational risk.

“Standard precautions must be applied to every patient, not just suspected Lassa cases. You cannot wait for confirmation before protecting yourself,” he added.

Dr. Hammed Alausa pointed to supply chain vulnerabilities, noting that even brief stock-outs of gloves, gowns or disinfectants can significantly increase exposure risk. Procedures involving blood and bodily fluids — such as intravenous line insertion or laboratory handling — pose heightened danger when protective measures are compromised.

Physician Chukwudi Ifeanyi identified delayed self-reporting among infected staff as another concern.

“Stigma, professional pride or fear of isolation may contribute to late presentation. That increases the risk of complications and potential transmission,” he said.

 

Consequences of a Compromised Frontline

When healthcare workers fall ill, the repercussions ripple across the health system.

Staffing shortages strain already overstretched facilities during peak transmission periods. Morale declines as fear of infection discourages deployment to high-risk units, especially in rural areas with limited personnel.

Public confidence may also erode. Perceptions of unsafe hospital environments can discourage timely healthcare seeking, worsening outcomes and amplifying transmission.

“If health workers are not protected, the entire health system becomes fragile. Protecting them is not optional; it is strategic,” Alausa warned.

 

The Way Forward

Experts recommend both immediate and structural interventions.

Mandatory IPC training for all facility staff — clinical and non-clinical — should be reinforced through simulation exercises and continuous mentorship. Hand hygiene infrastructure, including alcohol-based rubs and functional washing stations, must be consistently available.

Facility-level stock monitoring systems are critical to prevent PPE shortages. Transparent reporting of inventory gaps allows for rapid redistribution during peak seasons.

Robust triage systems must identify and isolate suspected cases at first contact, while improved specimen transport and expanded laboratory capacity can reduce diagnostic delays.

Equally important are stigma-free reporting mechanisms for exposed or symptomatic staff, alongside psychosocial support services.

“Healthcare workers must feel safe reporting symptoms. Early treatment improves survival and protects colleagues,” Ifeanyi stressed.

As Nigeria confronts another Lassa fever season, safeguarding frontline health workers remains central to sustaining outbreak response and preserving the resilience of the health system.

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