By Chioma Obinna
The Director-Basic of the Nigeria Centre for Illnesses Management and Prevention, NCDC, on Monday in an advisory to healthcare employees known as for a heightened index of suspicion and strict compliance with An infection Prevention and Management (IPC) measures following a disturbing rise in Lassa fever infections amongst medical personnel.
In a public well being advisory launched on the peak of the 2025/2026 Lassa fever transmission season, the NCDC confirmed that 15 healthcare employees have examined optimistic for Lassa fever, with two fatalities recorded as of Epidemiological Week 7.
“The security of healthcare employees stays our highest precedence.
We urge all healthcare personnel to take each obligatory measure to stop Lassa fever an infection and the related lack of life.”
He expressed deep sympathy over the current infections and deaths, describing the development as “deeply regarding” and avoidable with strict adherence to straightforward precautions.
Healthcare employee infections have been reported throughout a number of states, notably high-burden areas comparable to Ondo, Edo, Bauchi, Taraba, Ebonyi, and Benue, with some outbreaks traced to particular native authorities areas.
Based on the NCDC, investigations into every healthcare employee an infection revealed troubling gaps in an infection prevention and management practices.
“Current findings present gaps in IPC implementation and missed publicity dangers in sure hospital departments,” Idris mentioned.
“These gaps have resulted in prevention methods which are misaligned with precise publicity dangers with deadly penalties.”
The company recognized a low index of suspicion amongst healthcare employees, inconsistent availability and improper use of non-public protecting tools (PPE), and underestimation of dangers in outpatient departments and basic wards as main drivers of infections.
“Undiagnosed sufferers often current in outpatient models and basic wards,” the NCDC warned.
“It’s harmful to imagine that solely isolation models pose a risk.”
The advisory additionally famous that non-clinical employees together with cleaners, porters, and administrative officers — are equally in danger and should be included in IPC coaching and protecting measures.
Alarmingly, surveillance information confirmed a mean six-day delay between symptom onset and contaminated healthcare employees searching for care.
“This delay is usually as a result of worry of stigma or self-medication at house,” Idris mentioned. “Healthcare employees should keep away from self-treatment and instantly report signs or publicity.”
The NCDC defined that infections in healthcare settings sometimes happen by contact with contaminated blood, urine, vomit, or different physique fluids; performing medical procedures with out sufficient PPE; poor hand hygiene; dealing with contaminated devices; and delayed recognition and isolation of suspected instances.
It burdened that normal precautions should be utilized to all sufferers always, no matter prognosis.
“Hand hygiene is the primary line of safety,” the advisory acknowledged. “Healthcare employees should wash fingers earlier than and after each affected person contact, after contact with physique fluids, and after eradicating gloves. Alcohol-based hand rub needs to be used when fingers aren’t visibly dirty.”
Well being amenities have been directed to make sure the provision of gloves, masks, respirators, eye safety, robes, disinfectants, and correct waste disposal programs.
The NCDC urged states and well being amenities to ascertain purposeful isolation areas, keep designated remedy centres the place doable, and guarantee clear referral pathways for suspected instances.
“All suspected instances should be reported instantly to the LGA Illness Surveillance and Notification Officer or by the NCDC toll-free line, 6232,” Idris emphasised.
The company disclosed that it has deployed Speedy Response Groups to high-burden states, distributed PPE and important IPC provides, carried out focused sensitisation in remedy centres, and issued state-specific advisories.
“We commend states like Edo which have taken management of the outbreak inside their jurisdictions,” Idris famous. “We’ll proceed to assist all hotspot states and LGAs.”
He concluded with a powerful warning: “Defending healthcare employees is central to controlling Lassa fever. Strict adherence to IPC practices, early detection, and coordinated state-level motion will save lives and forestall additional transmission.”
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