Abuja, 21 November, 2024 – In Nigeria, susceptible populations, particularly these in underserved communities, stay at excessive danger of infectious ailments, together with Lassa fever—an acute viral hemorrhagic sickness attributable to the Lassa virus.

Endemic in Nigeria, Lassa fever continues to have an effect on hundreds yearly, with the dry season (December–April) being the height transmission interval. In 2024, the illness has been significantly extreme, with 1,059 confirmed circumstances reported throughout 28 states, leading to 175 deaths (16.6% case fatality fee). Alarmingly, 35 healthcare employees have been contaminated in the course of the outbreak, underscoring the pressing want for strong an infection prevention measures.

The Lassa virus is primarily transmitted to people by publicity to meals or home items contaminated with the urine or feces of contaminated Mastomys rats. Secondary transmission can happen by direct contact with the bodily fluids of contaminated people, posing important dangers to healthcare and laboratory employees who lack ample protecting measures.

Scaling Up Preparedness and Response Efforts

Because the dry season approaches its peak, the World Well being Group (WHO) is intensifying its help to the Nigerian authorities, the Nigeria Centre for Illness Management (NCDC), and state governments to strengthen preparedness and response.

Reaffirming WHO’s dedication to curbing Lassa fever, Dr. Ann Fortin, WHO Workforce Lead for Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) Cluster, emphasised: “With funding from the Authorities of Canada (by the CanGiVE Challenge), WHO helps strengthen early detection and affirmation of suspected circumstances, making certain optimum supportive care, and enhancing an infection prevention and management measures in designated well being amenities throughout affected states.”

WHO’s technical help focuses on coordinated responses, improved surveillance, efficient well being data administration, and danger communication and group engagement. Advocacy efforts are additionally underway to align key stakeholders for a unified and simpler response.

Focused Interventions in Excessive-Burden States

In Benue State, one of many hardest-hit areas with 64 confirmed circumstances and 11 deaths in 2024, WHO has applied focused interventions to construct native capability. These efforts embody: – 

• Coaching main healthcare employees, fast response groups, group volunteers, and surveillance focal factors in high-risk native authorities areas.

•  Selling early illness detection and community-led responses. 

• Elevating consciousness about behavioral modifications, corresponding to improved waste administration and rodent management.

Expressing appreciation for WHO’s help, Dr. Paul M. Asema, State Epidemiologist for Benue State Ministry of Well being and Human Providers, acknowledged: “The state deeply appreciates WHO’s contributions to defending the well being of our individuals, particularly throughout these vital outbreaks. A One Well being method stays key to strengthening our response and making certain progress in direction of well being for all.”

Broader Help Throughout Precedence States

Along with Benue, WHO is offering vital help to Edo, Ondo, Taraba, Bauchi, and Ebonyi states, specializing in:

• Supplying private protecting gear (PPE) for healthcare employees.

•  Bettering diagnostic and laboratory processes, together with efficient pattern assortment.

• Enhancing case administration and standardizing an infection prevention practices.

• Disseminating well being messages to communities, reaching over 35,000 people with life-saving details about Lassa fever prevention and management.

Empowering Communities: A Story of Hope

Within the Ortese Camp for Internally Displaced Individuals (IDPs) in Benue State, WHO’s group engagement efforts have offered vital help to residents like Mrs. Nyioun Adaga. “After I heard a neighbor within the camp had Lassa fever, I used to be terrified,” recollects Mrs. Adaga. “However the healthcare workforce sensitized us on prevention measures, giving me confidence to guard myself and my household. I’m grateful for his or her steering.

Aligned with Nationwide and International Well being Priorities

WHO’s interventions align with its Nation Cooperation Technique 2023–2027, the thirteenth Normal Programme of Work (GPW13), and key Federal Authorities frameworks, together with the Nationwide Well being Act, Nationwide Motion Plan for Well being Safety, and Well being Sector Renewal Initiative.

By leveraging multi-sectoral approaches, WHO and its companions are working tirelessly to make sure nobody is left behind within the combat in opposition to Lassa fever and different infectious ailments in Nigeria.