Introduction
Lassa fever remains one of the most important public health threats in Nigeria. Every year, thousands of Nigerians experience this viral illness, especially during the dry season from October to May when transmission increases. Understanding the symptoms, causes, and effective prevention strategies is critical for safeguarding families, communities, and healthcare systems in 2026 and beyond.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know — from early warning signs to actionable tips you can use at home and in your community. Whether you’re a concerned parent, a frontline health worker, or a community leader, this guide will equip you with evidence-based insights.
What Is Lassa Fever? A Clear Overview
Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness caused by the Lassa virus, a member of the Arenaviridae family. First identified in 1969 in the town of Lassa in Borno State, Nigeria, it has since become endemic — meaning it occurs regularly — in many parts of the country and much of West Africa.
Unlike some viruses that spread via mosquitoes or direct human contact, Lassa virus primarily spreads through contact with infected rodents, especially the multimammate rat (Mastomys natalensis). These rodents carry the virus but do not become sick themselves, allowing them to spread it to humans through urine and faeces.
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Why Lassa Fever Matters in Nigeria
Endemic disease: Lassa fever occurs every year in Nigeria, with peak activity in the dry season.
High impact: In 2025, thousands of suspected and hundreds of confirmed cases were reported in multiple states, resulting in significant fatalities as reported by ncdc.gov.ng
Severe consequences if untreated: Without early detection and care, the disease can become life-threatening.
Lassa Fever Symptoms: What to Watch For
Lassa fever can be deceptive at first because its early symptoms resemble common illnesses like malaria or typhoid. The disease can range from mild, almost unnoticed infection, to severe, life-threatening illness. About 80% of infected persons display no symptoms or mild symptoms, while 1 in 5 cases develops serious complications.
🧠 Typical Early Symptoms
Symptoms commonly begin 2–21 days after exposure to the virus and usually start gradually. Common early signs include:
- Fever that does not improve with standard malaria or antibiotic treatment
- General body weakness and fatigue
- Headache
- Sore throat
- Muscle and chest pain
- Nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea
- Cough and abdominal discomfort
🚨 Severe and Life-Threatening Symptoms
As Lassa fever progresses, especially without early treatment, more serious symptoms can appear. These call for urgent medical attention:
- Unexplained bleeding from the mouth, nose, vagina, or gastrointestinal tract
- Facial swelling
- Low blood pressure and shock
- Fluid buildup in lungs (pulmonary oedema)
- Neurological signs such as disorientation, tremors, or seizures
- Deafness, which can be permanent in some recovered patients
📌 Special Considerations in Pregnancy
Pregnant women, especially in the third trimester, are at much higher risk. Maternal and fetal mortality can exceed 30% and 80% respectively in late pregnancy without care.
Key takeaway in symptoms of Lassa fever: Any persistent fever unresponsive to common treatments — especially during Lassa season — should raise suspicion for Lassa fever and prompt immediate medical evaluation.
Causes and How Lassa Fever Spreads
Understanding how Lassa fever spreads is essential for effective prevention. The virus’s lifecycle involves rodents as the main carriers, but once people are infected, limited human-to-human spread can occur.
🐀 Rodent-to-Human Transmission
This is the primary cause of Lassa fever infections. Humans contract the virus by coming into contact with food or household items contaminated with rodent urine or droppings.
Touching or inhaling dust contaminated with rodent excreta.
Handling rodents directly during hunting or food preparation.
🤝 Human-to-Human Transmission
Although less common, spread between people can occur, especially in healthcare and caregiving settings through:
Direct contact with blood, body fluids, or secretions of infected individuals.
Contaminated medical equipment or improper infection control practices.
Healthcare workers are at particular risk without proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and infection control.
Diagnosis and Treatment: What Happens Next
🔬 How Lassa Fever Is Diagnosed
Because early symptoms are similar to other febrile diseases, laboratory testing is critical. Testing helps distinguish Lassa from malaria, typhoid, and other common infections.
Healthcare workers often use:
- Blood tests to detect viral RNA or antibodies
- PCR assays
- Specialized serological tests
Prompt diagnosis is essential for appropriate care and to reduce the spread.
Lassa Fever Treatment in 2026
There is no widely licensed vaccine yet for Lassa fever, although research and trials are ongoing.
Key treatments include:
💊 Supportive Care
- Fluid management and hydration
- Electrolyte balance and nutritional support
- Symptom management (pain relief, fever control)
🧪 Antiviral Therapy
The antiviral ribavirin has been used in some cases and may reduce mortality when given early, although robust clinical evidence is limited.
🏥 Hospital Care
Severe cases benefit from isolation, monitoring, and advanced supportive therapy in trained facilities to prevent complications. Prompt hospitalization improves survival chances.
Prevention: How to Protect Yourself and Your Community
Prevention remains the most effective way to reduce Lassa fever’s impact in Nigeria. Given the seasonal pattern and high burden in certain states, community and household actions are crucial.
Read Related Post: How to Prevent and Control Malaria: A Complete Guide for Nigerians
🏡 1. Keep Rodents Out of Homes
Reducing rodent contact is vital:
- ✔ Store food and grains in rodent-proof containers
- ✔ Block holes and gaps in walls, roofs, or floors to deny rodent entry
- ✔ Use traps safely to reduce rodent populations
- ✔ Clear bushes and refuse around homes that attract rodents
🧼 2. Maintain Clean Environments
Good hygiene doesn’t just feel good — it saves lives:
- Sweep and clean premises daily
- Manage waste using tightly covered bins
- Avoid open drying of grains or food outdoors where rodents roam
🔬 3. Safe Food Practices
- Wash and cook food thoroughly
- Avoid consumption of rats or rodents
- Prevent contamination by protecting food from rodents’ access
🏥 4. Healthcare Infection Control
For healthcare workers and caregivers:
- Always wear PPE when handling patients or bodily fluids
- Adhere to standard infection prevention practices
- Clean and sterilize instruments and surfaces properly
📣 5. Recognize Symptoms Early
Any persistent fever not improving with malaria treatment for 48+ hours should raise suspicion of Lassa fever and prompt immediate assessment.
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Community Response and Government Initiatives
Nigeria’s public health agencies, including the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and State CDCs, continue to track Lassa fever trends, issue alerts, and support community engagement campaigns across affected states.
They emphasize:
- Awareness campaigns in markets, mosques, churches, and villages
- Surveillance and rapid response teams
- Training for healthcare workers on detection and care
- Community leaders, volunteers, and citizens play a direct role in preventing spread by sharing health messages and improving hygiene practices.
Conclusion: Stay Informed, Stay Safe in 2026
Lassa fever is a serious but preventable disease in Nigeria. With knowledge, preparation, and community collaboration, the impact of this viral illness can be significantly reduced.
📍 Key takeaways:
- Be alert to symptoms — don’t ignore persistent fever.
- Practice environmental hygiene and rodent control at home.
- Seek early medical care when symptoms appear.
- Support healthcare workers by following infection control measures.
Nigeria’s fight against Lassa fever in 2026 is ongoing, but with awareness and action, individuals can protect themselves and their communities from this dangerous viral illness.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is Lassa fever?
Lassa fever is a viral illness caused by the Lassa virus. It is common in Nigeria and other parts of West Africa. The disease is mainly spread through contact with food or household items contaminated with urine or feces of infected rats. It can cause mild to severe illness.
2. Is Lassa fever common in Nigeria?
Yes, Lassa fever is endemic in Nigeria, meaning it occurs every year. Thousands of suspected cases are reported annually, especially during the dry season. States like Edo, Ondo, Bauchi, Ebonyi, and Taraba often record higher numbers of confirmed cases.
3. When is Lassa fever season in Nigeria?
Lassa fever season in Nigeria usually starts from October and peaks between January and April. This period coincides with the dry season, when human contact with rats increases, making transmission more likely.
4. What are the early symptoms of Lassa fever?
Early symptoms of Lassa fever include persistent fever, weakness, headache, sore throat, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. These symptoms often look like malaria or typhoid, which is why early medical testing is very important.
5. How long does it take for symptoms to appear after infection?
Symptoms of Lassa fever usually appear 6 to 21 days after exposure to the virus. This period is known as the incubation period. Some infected people may not show symptoms, while others may develop severe illness.
6. Can Lassa fever be mistaken for malaria or typhoid?
Yes, Lassa fever is often mistaken for malaria or typhoid because the early symptoms are very similar. If fever does not improve after malaria or antibiotic treatment, Lassa fever should be suspected, especially during the Lassa season.
7. What causes Lassa fever?
Lassa fever is caused by the Lassa virus, which is carried by the multimammate rat. Humans become infected when they come into contact with food, surfaces, or dust contaminated with urine or feces of infected rats.
8. Can Lassa fever spread from person to person?
Yes, Lassa fever can spread from person to person through direct contact with blood, urine, saliva, vomit, or other body fluids of an infected person. This is more common in healthcare settings without proper infection control measures.
9. Can Lassa fever cause bleeding?
Yes, in severe cases, Lassa fever can cause bleeding from the mouth, nose, vagina, or digestive tract. However, not all patients experience bleeding. The presence of bleeding usually indicates a more severe form of the disease.
10. Is Lassa fever deadly?
Lassa fever can be deadly if not treated early. Most mild cases recover fully, but severe cases can lead to death. The risk of death is higher in pregnant women, elderly people, and patients who seek medical care late.
11. Is there a cure for Lassa fever?
There is no specific cure for Lassa fever. However, early supportive treatment in a hospital greatly improves survival. An antiviral drug called ribavirin may be used in some cases, especially when given early.
12. Can Lassa fever be treated at home?
No, Lassa fever should not be treated at home. Anyone suspected of having Lassa fever should go to a health facility immediately. Home treatment increases the risk of severe complications and spreading the infection to others.
13. How is Lassa fever diagnosed?
Lassa fever is diagnosed using laboratory blood tests such as PCR or antibody tests. Because the symptoms are similar to other diseases, laboratory confirmation is necessary to make an accurate diagnosis.
14. Is Lassa fever dangerous during pregnancy?
Yes, Lassa fever is extremely dangerous during pregnancy, especially in the third trimester. It can lead to severe illness, pregnancy loss, or death of the mother and baby if not treated promptly.
15. Is there a vaccine for Lassa fever in 2025?
As of 2025, there is no approved vaccine for Lassa fever available to the public. Research and clinical trials are ongoing, but prevention currently relies on hygiene, rodent control, and early medical care.
16. How can Lassa fever be prevented in Nigeria?
Lassa fever can be prevented by keeping homes clean, storing food in covered containers, blocking rat entry into houses, avoiding contact with rats, and seeking medical care early for persistent fever.
17. Is it safe to eat rats or bush meat?
Eating rats or bush meat increases the risk of Lassa fever. Rats are the main carriers of the virus, and handling or eating them can lead to infection. Avoiding rodent consumption is strongly advised.
18. What should I do if I suspect Lassa fever?
If you suspect Lassa fever, go to the nearest health facility immediately. Avoid self-medication and limit contact with others until you are evaluated by a healthcare professional.
19. Can Lassa fever cause long-term problems?
Yes, some people who recover from Lassa fever may experience long-term complications such as hearing loss. In some cases, the hearing loss can be permanent.
20. How can communities help prevent Lassa fever outbreaks?
Communities can help by promoting cleanliness, proper waste disposal, rodent control, public awareness, and early reporting of suspected cases to health authorities.
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