Nigeria’s Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has activated its Lassa fever emergency operations centre in response to the country’s escalating incidence of the disease.

A statement signed by the NCDC Director General, Ifedayo Adetifa, on Thursday stated that in 2023, there was an increase in the number of cases reported from week 49 and related healthcare personnel infections over three weeks.

The NCDC further disclosed that the activation is a result of a risk assessment conducted which revealed that “the outcome of the risk assessment placed the country at “high risk” of increased risk of Lassa fever transmission and impact due to some factors like an increased number of states reporting cases and high case fatality.

It therefore cautioned members of the public to preserve personal, environmental, and food hygiene in the fight against Lassa fever, as early detection and quick presentation at health facilities considerably increase survival chances.