Lassa fever is a rodent-borne acute viral hemorrhagic fever endemic in West African countries of Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Liberia and Benin. According to the WHO (World Health Organization), it affects between 100,000 and 300,000 people every year in Western Africa, with about 5,000 deaths. Very little is known about this neglected disease, since little research has been conducted, despite the virus being discovered more than 50 years ago. MSF insists on the importance of investing in research to know more about this illness, building capacity of the healthcare staff.

Rapid case detection and knowledge about illness are key components of Lassa management which can be prevented by preventing rats by entering houses and promoting good hygiene practices. Lassa fever peak season has begun in November. Since 2022, our medical teams support the Tafawa Balewa hospital located in Bauchi state for the treatment of patients with Lassa fever. It’s the third emergency intervention for Lassa Fever run by MSF in this hospital.

MSF activities include early detection, testing for suspected cases, provision of care, psycho-social support, health promotion activities, fight against stigmatization of patients, and infection prevention and control measures in communities and health facilities. Since January, our teams admitted 291 suspected cases. Ninety-nine among them were confirmed positive. The mortality rate is important (over 23 deaths) because patients arrive at the hospital late. The medical is easily exposed when fighting to save patients.

Our teams intensified early detection in the community, which resulted in a slight increase in admissions in recent weeks. Our teams are currently preparing an exploratory mission in Kano state, located near Bauchi after the local analysis revealed four positive cases and many others suspected and deceased.