NCDC Urges Lassa Fever Prevention Measures This Season

Lassa fever, a rodent-borne disease, poses a significant health risk in Nigeria, especially during the dry season from November to April, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC). Although many infected individuals may show no symptoms or only mild illness, severe complications can arise.

Currently, there is no licensed vaccine or approved antiviral treatment for Lassa fever, making prevention crucial. Effective prevention strategies include keeping rats away from food and living spaces, as the multimammate rat carries the virus and can contaminate food through urine and droppings.

Households are advised to store food in tightly covered containers, maintain a clean environment, and avoid clutter to deter rodent habitation. The NCDC emphasizes the importance of taking preventive measures before outbreaks occur, as the risk of infection increases during the dry season when rodents seek food and shelter near human settlements.