Eneh Stanley Chinedu, Obi Chidera Gabriel, Ephraim Ikpongifono Udokang, Dauda Zakariya'u, Udoewah Samson Adiaetok, Anokwuru Collins Chibueze, Onukansi Francisca Ogochukwu, Ikhuoria Ogechi Vinaprisca, Ojo Temitope Olumuyiwa, Madukaku Chukwuocha Uchechukwu, Orabueze Ibuchukwu Nkeonyenasoya, Chizoba Amara Frances
Department of Community Health, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
IVAN Research Institute, University of Nigeria, Enugu, Nigeria.
Front Public Health. 2025 Jul 16;13:1574459. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2025.1574459. eCollection 2025.
Lassa fever remains a persistent public health challenge in Nigeria, with annual outbreaks expanding across the country. Between 2018 and 2023, the disease spread from 20 to 34 of Nigeria's 37 states, underscoring its endemic nature. Recent data from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) indicates 1,171 suspected cases, 290 confirmed cases, and 53 deaths between January 6 to 26, 2025, with a case fatality rate of 18.3%. Lassa fever transmission is highly seasonal, peaking during the dry months when food scarcity drives rodent-human interactions. Inadequate early detection, weak surveillance systems, and economic constraints exacerbate the burden on Nigeria's healthcare infrastructure. Environmental, socioeconomic, and systemic healthcare limitations drive the resurgence of Lassa fever. Climate change-induced shifts in temperature and precipitation patterns have disrupted rodent habitats, increasing human exposure to the virus. Additionally, poverty, poor sanitation, and urban expansion facilitate the proliferation of disease-carrying rodents. Limited funding and insufficient healthcare facilities hinder timely responses, contributing to high mortality rates. The economic impact extends beyond healthcare costs to agricultural disruptions, trade restrictions, and workforce productivity losses. To mitigate future outbreaks, Nigeria must adopt a multifaceted strategy that includes robust disease surveillance, the use of environmental data, effective rodent control measures, improved waste management, and strengthened cross-sectoral collaboration and policy implementation. Strengthening healthcare infrastructure, investing in vaccine development will enhance early detection and response efforts. By adopting an integrated One Health approach, Nigeria can improve disease control, reduce fatalities, and alleviate the economic burden of Lassa fever outbreaks.
拉沙热仍然是尼日利亚持续面临的公共卫生挑战，每年的疫情在该国不断蔓延。2018年至2023年期间，该疾病在尼日利亚37个州中的传播范围从20个州扩大到34个州，凸显了其地方性流行的特点。尼日利亚疾病控制与预防中心（NCDC）的最新数据显示，在2025年1月6日至26日期间，有1171例疑似病例、290例确诊病例和53例死亡，病死率为18.3%。拉沙热的传播具有高度季节性，在干旱月份达到高峰，此时食物短缺促使啮齿动物与人类发生接触。早期检测不足、监测系统薄弱以及经济制约因素加剧了尼日利亚医疗基础设施的负担。环境、社会经济和系统性医疗保健方面的限制导致拉沙热疫情死灰复燃。气候变化引起的温度和降水模式变化扰乱了啮齿动物的栖息地，增加了人类接触该病毒的机会。此外，贫困、卫生条件差和城市扩张助长了携带疾病的啮齿动物的繁殖。资金有限和医疗设施不足阻碍了及时应对，导致死亡率居高不下。经济影响不仅限于医疗成本，还包括农业生产中断、贸易限制和劳动力生产力损失。为了减轻未来的疫情，尼日利亚必须采取多方面的战略，包括加强疾病监测、利用环境数据、采取有效的啮齿动物控制措施、改善废物管理以及加强跨部门合作和政策实施。加强医疗基础设施、投资疫苗研发将增强早期检测和应对能力。通过采用综合的“同一健康”方法，尼日利亚可以改善疾病控制、降低死亡率并减轻拉沙热疫情的经济负担。
