The Ekiti State Government has raised alarms over the increasing incidence and fatalities from Lassa fever across Nigeria, expressing particular concern over the deaths of healthcare workers to the disease.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ekiti State Ministry of Health, Mrs. Olusola Gbenga-Igotun, disclosed that while there were no confirmed cases of Lassa fever in Ekiti State, the government has taken proactive steps to safeguard both healthcare workers and residents.
Measures include strengthening the capacity of healthcare facilities, equipping medical personnel with personal protective equipment (PPE), and ensuring the availability of handwashing materials in health institutions.
Mrs. Gbenga-Igotun made the disclosure in a statement titled, “Lassa Fever Advisory for Healthcare Workers: EKSG Calls for Heightened Index of Suspicion and Implementation of Infection Prevention and Control Measures in Healthcare Facilities,” which was released in Ado Ekiti on Friday.
The advisory highlighted troubling national trends, citing surveillance data from the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). According to the NCDC, 11 healthcare workers had been confirmed to have contracted Lassa fever, with two fatalities reported as of epidemiological week four, January 2026.
Mrs. Gbenga-Igotun urged all health professionals to maintain a heightened index of suspicion for Lassa fever, to adhere strictly to infection prevention and control protocols, and to promptly report any suspected cases. She emphasized that early detection and strict adherence to safety guidelines remain crucial in preventing the spread of the disease.
The Ekiti State Government’s advisory reflects a nationwide call for vigilance as health authorities intensify efforts to curb the growing threat of Lassa fever, particularly in the wake of recent losses among frontline medical workers.
