NCDC Begins Early Lassa Fever Preparations, Warns Against Self Medication

By Princess Ekwi Ajide

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, NCDC, has begun early preparations against a possible rise in Lassa fever cases as Nigeria approaches the dry season.

The Director General of the agency, Dr Olajide Idris, said Lassa fever occurs throughout the year but typically records increased transmission between November and February, making early preparedness essential to preventing avoidable infections and deaths.

Dr Idris said lessons from the 2026 response revealed persistent challenges, including delayed care seeking, self medication, infections among healthcare workers, poor sanitation, unsafe food storage and increased exposure to rodents.

He said the NCDC is therefore strengthening a One Health approach that brings together the health, environment, agriculture and livestock sectors, alongside state and local governments and communities.

The NCDC Director General urged state and local authorities to improve sanitation and waste management, strengthen disease surveillance and maintain clear laboratory referral systems.

He also called for treatment centres to remain adequately stocked with essential medicines, laboratory supplies and infection prevention materials ahead of the peak transmission period.

Dr Idris warned Nigerians against assuming that every fever is malaria, urging people to seek proper medical evaluation to establish the actual cause of illness.

He stressed that early diagnosis and appropriate treatment remain critical in reducing complications and deaths associated with Lassa fever.