146 Dead, 25 Doctors Infected Within Three Months as Lassa Fever Spreads Across Nigeria

By Micheal Chukwuebuka

The Lassa fever outbreak in Nigeria continues to escalate, putting health workers at heightened risk as infections and deaths among medical personnel rise.

The National Association of Resident Doctors reported that 25 of its members have contracted the virus, including one death, while the Nigerian Medical Association confirmed that at least 37 health workers have been infected, with three fatalities among doctors.

Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness endemic to West Africa, caused by the Lassa virus. It is primarily transmitted through contact with urine or faeces of infected Mastomys rats, or via direct human-to-human contact. Symptoms vary from mild malaise to severe bleeding, facial swelling, and shock.

Data from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention shows that within 11 weeks, 582 cases have been confirmed, 3,222 suspected cases reported, and 146 deaths recorded nationwide. Taraba State has reported the highest fatalities with 40 deaths, followed by Ondo State with 31. Bauchi State recorded 25 deaths, Plateau and Benue states 11 each, Edo State nine, and Nasarawa State three.

Medical experts have expressed concern over the rising infections among health workers, highlighting weaknesses in infection prevention and control measures, particularly regarding the availability and proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).