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The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, NCDC, has reissued an advisory to all healthcare workers, urging personnel to take every necessary measure to protect themselves from Lassa fever infection and the associated mortalities.
The concerns follow the recent surge in Lassa fever infections among healthcare workers, with 15 confirmed cases and 2 deaths recorded as of Epidemiological Week 7.
The agency’s surveillance data indicate that healthcare worker infections have been reported across multiple states, including the known high-burden areas such as Ondo, Edo, Bauchi, Taraba, Ebonyi, and Benue, with specific hotspots often identified at the LGA level.
It noted gaps in Infection Prevention and Control, IPC, practices, as well as missed risks of exposure in certain departments, warning that the gaps have resulted in IPC strategies that are misaligned with actual exposure risks, resulting in fatal consequences.
The NCDC in an advisory signed by its Director General, Dr Jide Idris, pointed out the key drivers of healthcare worker infections, including low index of suspicion and IPC gaps, outpatient and general ward vulnerability, risk among Non-clinical staff, delayed care-seeking and community-level exposure.
The advisory read, “The low index of suspicion, combined with inconsistent availability and inappropriate use of personal protective equipment, PPE, exposes healthcare workers to infection.
“Support staff, including cleaners, porters, and administrative officers, are also at risk and must be included in IPC training and protective measures.
“Healthcare workers in outpatient departments and general wards often underestimate their risk, operating under the mistaken belief that only isolation units pose a threat. However, undiagnosed patients frequently present in these settings.
“Data show a dangerous average six-day delay between symptom onset and healthcare workers seeking care, often due to fear of stigma or self-medication at home.
“Healthcare workers live in the same communities as affected patients and may be exposed to rodent infestations and environmental risks.”
The advisory warned health workers to ensure standard precautions are applied to all patients, at all times, regardless of diagnosis, including hand hygiene before and after every patient contact, appropriate use of PPE based on risk, safe injection and specimen handling, proper waste management and environmental cleaning and disinfection.
“Protecting healthcare workers is central to controlling Lassa fever. Strict adherence to IPC practices, early detection, and coordinated state-level action will save lives and prevent further transmission,” said the NCDC Director.
Lassa Fever Surge: NCDC warns health workers after 15 infections, 2 deaths
