Photo Credit: Photo used in original report courtesy of The Sun Nigeria / NCDC
Lassa Fever: NCDC Warns of Weak Preparedness, Funding Gaps Ahead of Peak Season
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has raised fresh concerns over Nigeria’s level of preparedness for Lassa fever, warning that the country has only a short window to act before infections surge.

The agency warned states and local governments against waiting for cases to rise before taking action, noting that the peak transmission period for the disease is approaching.

Speaking at a press briefing on Nigeria’s preparedness for the 2026/2027 Lassa fever season in Abuja, the Director-General of NCDC, Dr. Jide Idris, expressed worry over delayed presentation of patients, rising infections among healthcare workers, poor sanitation, improper food storage, rodent exposure and low ownership of outbreak response at state level.

Idris also faulted over-dependence on the Federal Government and delays in releasing funds for outbreak response.

He explained that while Lassa fever occurs all year round, transmission typically increases during the dry season, between November and April.

“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.

The DG said findings from the 2026 After Action Review revealed major weaknesses in the nation’s response capacity, including a gap between claimed healthcare capacity and what is actually functional during outbreaks.

Citing dialysis services as an example, he said having a dialysis machine does not translate to functional capacity without trained personnel, consumables, treated water and proper maintenance.

To address the gaps, NCDC has developed an Accelerated Readiness Plan (ARP) to guide federal and state-level preparedness before the peak season.

The plan will focus on early detection and reporting of suspected cases, rapid investigation, faster sample transportation and testing, infection prevention and control, functional treatment centres, and adequate stock of medicines, laboratory materials and personal protective equipment (PPE). Surveillance and community engagement will also be intensified in high-risk areas.

Idris expressed concern over infections among health workers and directed that every suspected infection involving a healthcare worker must be investigated, with exposed workers properly followed up.

He also warned Nigerians against prolonged self-medication for suspected malaria, urging those with persistent fever after malaria treatment to seek medical attention promptly.

At household level, the NCDC boss advised Nigerians to store food items such as rice, garri, beans and maize in covered containers, block rodent entry points, reduce clutter, dispose of refuse properly, and avoid contact with rodents and their body fluids.

He said the agency will scale up its “Turn a Community Orange” initiative in selected high-risk communities to promote prevention, early reporting and prompt referral.

Idris charged states and local governments, especially those with recurrent transmission, to improve environmental sanitation, waste management, surveillance and laboratory referral systems, and to ensure treatment centres are fully functional before cases rise.

He added that the NCDC will continue research into the changing epidemiology of Lassa fever, including possible involvement of rodents other than Mastomys, the role of asymptomatic infections, genomic sequencing, vaccine research and rapid diagnostic tests.

He stressed that containing the disease requires a multi-sectoral approach involving environment, agriculture, livestock, local governments and communities.

Source: The Sun Newspaper Nigeria –