NCDC: Transport Costs Hinder Lassa Fever Response

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has identified high specimen transport costs and weak data systems as significant barriers to effectively responding to Lassa fever outbreaks. In an interview, Dr. Jide Idri, the State Director General of NCDC, explained that transporting samples from remote communities to state laboratories is costly and logistically challenging, especially in hard-to-reach areas.

This situation is exacerbated by rising fuel prices, which affect turnaround times for testing. The NCDC aims to improve testing turnaround times compared to previous years, with a goal of detecting and reporting suspected cases within 24 hours and initiating responses within seven days.

However, the effectiveness of outbreak management ultimately depends on state-level execution. Issues arise when hospitals confirm cases without notifying state authorities, creating gaps in surveillance.

The NCDC emphasizes the need for accurate data flow and coordination with state governments to enhance outbreak control efforts.