MSF steps up emergency response to Lassa fever outbreak

The worsening Lassa fever epidemic in Benue state has triggered an urgent intervention by the international medical-humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders (MSF), as rising infections and deaths put heavy pressure on already stretched health facilities.

Working in collaboration with the Benue State Ministry of Health, MSF has deployed emergency teams to strengthen infection prevention and control (IPC) measures, following a surge in cases that has exposed critical gaps in health safety systems, particularly affecting frontline workers.

Official data indicates that as of mid-March the state has recorded 410 suspected cases of Lassa fever, with 60 confirmed infections and 14 deaths. Worryingly, 14 healthcare workers are among those infected, raising serious concerns about inadequate protection measures within treatment centres.

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The situation reflects a larger national crisis. The Nigerian Center for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) reports that Nigeria recorded 167 deaths from Lassa fever in the first 13 weeks of 2026 alone, with a mortality rate of 25.2%, significantly higher than the 18.5% recorded in the same period in 2025.

Benue state formally declared the outbreak on February 3, 2026, as infections surged in communities in what is already recognized as one of Nigeria’s high-risk areas for the disease.

Lassa fever, an acute viral haemorrhagic disease endemic to Nigeria, typically peaks between November and April. It is transmitted primarily through contact with food or household objects contaminated by infected rodents, but can also spread through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected people, making healthcare facilities especially vulnerable when safety protocols are weak.

In response to the emergency, MSF launched a three-month intervention in March aimed at containing the epidemic and preventing further transmission. The mission was launched at the request of state authorities, especially in light of the increase in infections among healthcare workers and the persistent shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE).

“Health workers and patients are at significant risk when infection prevention measures are not fully put in place,” said MSF emergency coordinator Juniper Gordon. “Strengthening the IPC and improving the organization of care are key to reducing transmission in healthcare facilities.”

MSF teams are now providing practical support in selected facilities, focusing on strengthening clinical practices and improving patient management systems. This includes training healthcare workers on IPC protocols, reorganizing triage processes and creating clearly defined high- and low-risk zones to limit cross-infection.

The organization is also providing essential materials, including PPE, hygiene kits and sanitation supplies, while strengthening waste management systems and infection control procedures. Handwashing stations have been installed in supported facilities and surveillance efforts have been strengthened through improved data collection and monitoring.

In an effort to support patients’ well-being, MSF is also providing food assistance to people in isolation centres, helping to ease the burden on affected families.

MSF said it is coordinating closely with global and national partners, including the World Health Organization, UNICEF and NCDC, to scale up response efforts and curb the spread of the disease.

Despite these interventions, public health experts warn that the outbreak highlights deeper systemic challenges in Nigeria’s healthcare system, particularly in infection control preparedness and rapid response capacity.

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