Healthcare workers in Ekiti State have been urged to heighten vigilance against Lassa fever and strictly follow infection prevention and control (IPC) protocols as part of measures to protect medical personnel and the public.
In a statement on Friday signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Human Services, Olusola Gbenga-Igotun, the government acknowledged the dedication of healthcare personnel, especially IPC Focal Persons at primary, secondary, and tertiary facilities, while expressing condolences for colleagues who have recently lost their lives to the disease in other parts of Nigeria.
Although no confirmed Lassa fever cases have been recorded in the state, officials noted rising infections among healthcare workers nationwide. According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), 11 confirmed cases and two deaths among healthcare workers were reported as of epidemiological week four (January 2026), with a cumulative 121 cases and 25 deaths recorded across the country since the start of the year.
Describing the situation as a serious public health threat, the government said it has reinforced IPC measures through its dedicated IPC Pillar. This includes providing updated IPC guidelines, holding regular review sessions with IPC Focal Persons, and distributing personal protective equipment (PPE) and hand hygiene materials to all health facilities.
Healthcare workers were advised to follow standard precautions at all times, practice hand hygiene at the five critical moments, and use appropriate PPE regardless of a patient’s provisional diagnosis. Staff were also reminded to maintain a high index of suspicion for Lassa fever, particularly in patients with febrile illness not responding to malaria treatment or antibiotics within 48 hours. Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDT) are recommended to rule out malaria before considering Lassa fever or other causes of fever.
The government also emphasised proper environmental cleaning in hospitals and safe disposal of healthcare waste as essential measures to reduce transmission.
Gbenga-Igotun urged all healthcare personnel and residents to take personal responsibility in preventing the spread of Lassa fever, noting that the state remains committed to safeguarding the health and wellbeing of its medical workforce.
“The government continues to prioritise the safety of healthcare workers and urges everyone to actively participate in mitigating the spread of Lassa fever within communities and health facilities”, the statement said.
