The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control has raised concern over the rising spread of Lassa fever among healthcare workers, confirming that two health workers have died while 15 infections have been recorded.

In an advisory released on Monday, the agency expressed sympathy to affected workers, noting that as of Epidemiological Week 7, 15 confirmed cases had been documented among healthcare personnel across several states.

According to the NCDC, infections have been reported in high-burden states, including Ondo, Edo, Bauchi, Taraba, Ebonyi, and Benue, with specific hotspots identified at local government levels.

“Recent surveillance data indicate a concerning increase in Lassa fever infections among healthcare workers, with 15 confirmed cases and two deaths recorded as of Epidemiological Week 7,” the agency stated.

It explained that investigations into each healthcare worker infection revealed gaps in infection prevention and control practices, as well as missed exposure risks in certain hospital departments.

“These gaps have resulted in IPC strategies that are misaligned with actual exposure risks, with fatal consequences,” the statement added.

Lassa fever is a zoonotic acute viral illness transmitted primarily through contact with food or household items contaminated by the urine or faeces of infected Mastomys rats.

According to the World Health Organization, Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness caused by the Lassa virus, a member of the arenavirus family. Person-to-person transmission can also occur, particularly in healthcare settings where infection prevention and control measures are inadequate.

The disease is endemic in Nigeria and several West African countries, including Benin, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Sierra Leone, and Togo.

The NCDC urged health facilities to strengthen infection prevention protocols and ensure strict adherence to safety guidelines to curb further spread among healthcare workers and the general population.