The Digest:
A surge in Lassa fever cases is threatening Nigeria's healthcare workforce, with over 15 health workers infected and two deaths recorded across multiple states as of Epidemiological Week Seven, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). In the first five weeks of 2026, 31 people died from the disease, with over 754 suspected cases reported across 33 local government areas in nine states. High-burden states include Ondo, Edo, Bauchi, Taraba, Ebonyi, and Benue. NCDC Director-General Dr Jide Idris warned that infections among healthcare personnel underscore "lingering gaps in clinical vigilance and infection control practices." Experts attribute rising infections to non-specific early symptoms mistaken for malaria, inconsistent IPC protocol implementation, supply chain challenges, and delayed self-reporting among health workers. The NCDC has urged states to establish functional isolation units and ensure clear referral pathways.
Key Points:
- Health worker infections compromise frontline capacity during peak Lassa fever season.
- It reflects systemic failures in infection prevention and control (IPC) implementation.
- Infected workers face life-threatening illness, while patients lose access to trained staff.
- This signals urgent need for improved PPE supply, training, and rapid diagnostic systems.
- The timing, with seasonal surge ongoing, demands immediate intervention.
Sources: Daily Trust, NCDC, WHO
