Nigeria Battles Resurgence – Important Information on How to Protect Yourself and Stay Safe
Lassa fever is a serious illness that can kill. Nigeria is currently experiencing a big outbreak. Rats, especially the multimammate rat, carry the disease.
The disease is particularly active during the dry season (December to April) when rats move from fields into homes to search for food.
2026 Outbreak: In the first three weeks of 2026, 17 people died from Lassa fever, with 93 confirmed cases across eight states, including Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, and Edo.
How it spreads:
- Eating food contaminated with rat urine, faeces, or saliva.
- Breathing in dust or air with rat waste while cleaning.
- Touching or being bitten by infected rats.
- Contact with an infected person’s blood or bodily fluids.
Symptoms:
- High fever and feeling weak.
- Headache, sore throat, and muscle pain.
- Vomiting and diarrhoea.
- Severe cases: Bleeding from the nose, mouth, or eyes, and facial swelling.
How to protect yourself:
- Store food in sealed containers.
- Don’t dry food on the ground where rats can reach it.
- Keep your home and surroundings clean.
- Block holes in your home to keep rats out.
- If you have a persistent fever, visit a health facility immediately.
Stay safe and take precautions to prevent Lassa fever!
