The challenges of curtailing the outbreak and spread of Lassa fever in Nigeria

Abstract

In Nigeria, the Lassa Fever outbreak of 2015 had been persistent up till the present (end of 2019), with significant mortality and morbidity. The epidemiology of Lassa Fever is gradually changing towards assuming an endemic dimension despite several evidence-based efforts taken by stakeholders towards disease control. Several challenges militate against prevention and control efforts. These are related to environmental and climatic factors, poor knowledge risk perception and preventive practices among community members and health care workers, poor diagnosis and treatments of the disease. It is doubtful that Nigeria could successfully win the war against Lassa Fever without surmounting the challenges identified in this review article. The efforts to curtail Lassa Fever would yield significant reduction in prevalence if these challenges militating against prevention and control are removed. This would require collaborative efforts among all stakeholders that are relevant to this task, and Governments creating an enabling environment for prevention and control efforts to thrive.