NCDC Raises Concern in Increase in Lassa Fever

The Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Jide Idris, has attributed the seasonal surge in Lassa fever cases caused by contact with food contaminated by rat faeces to the effects of climate change.

He said this on Monday during a press briefing at the NCDC headquarters in Abuja.

According to the DG, climate and environmental factors are responsible for the seasonal transmission of Lassa fever in the country.

This season typically runs from October to May, with May being the peak season. Outbreaks typically occur during the dry season, when human exposure to rodents is highest.

According to the DG, the influence of these factors on rodent-induced illness must be studied to combat any other potential outbreak actively.

He said: “Lassa fever is becoming something you see as seasonal because of climate change. It affects the transmission rate, especially in agrarian communities.

“We are in season for increasing transmission, and we are starting to get concerned about what we see now. But these are things, however, that are constantly watched.”

Mr Idris said the agency has begun collaborating with other relevant government agencies to identify multiple ways to control the spread.

According to him, the agency’s goal is to prevent the recurrence of another outbreak.

“So we will continue to see more cases. There’s no doubt about that. We can’t stop it. But the other is that when we see these cases or when they are reported to us, they are immediately treated; they are looked after so that the victims will not die,” he added.