MSF steps up response in Nigeria as Lassa fever death surges
By Gbolahan Salman Sokoto
Nigeria is grappling with a severe Lassa fever outbreak, with fatalities rising sharply despite intensified response efforts by humanitarian organisation Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF).
Since January 2026, the country has recorded 516 confirmed cases and 135 deaths—a 31 per cent increase compared to the same period last year—highlighting the growing public health threat posed by the disease.
Describing the challenge, MSF’s Emergency Medical Programme Manager, Dr Ayokunnu Raji, in a statement made available to newsmen on Friday said the virus often evades early detection due to its similarity to more common illnesses.
“Lassa fever is a disease that essentially disguises itself,” Raji said. “At the beginning, symptoms are very similar to malaria or typhoid, so by the time many patients arrive at our treatment centre, they are already critically ill.”
One such patient, Musa, a resident of Bauchi State, initially mistook his symptoms for malaria and sought treatment at a private clinic, where his condition worsened.
“It felt like I had malaria,” Musa recalled. “They could not understand what I was suffering from.”
It was only after an MSF outreach team visited his community that he was referred to the Lassa Fever Treatment Centre at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, where he was diagnosed and treated.
“At some point, I thought I would not survive,” he said. “But after 29 days in the treatment centre, I recovered.”
Health experts warn that delayed diagnosis remains a major driver of fatalities, particularly among healthcare workers who are often exposed before the disease is confirmed.
“Early diagnosis, isolation and prompt treatment are absolutely crucial,” Raji stressed.
The toll on frontline workers has been significant. At least 38 health workers have been infected nationwide this year—more than double last year’s figure—with three MSF staff affected in February alone. One of them died in Kano State.
MSF is currently supporting Lassa fever response efforts across several high-burden states, including Bauchi, Benue, Kano, Taraba, Sokoto and Zamfara, working closely with government health authorities to provide free treatment, improve diagnostics and strengthen infection prevention.
In Bauchi State, one of the hardest-hit areas, MSF has treated hundreds of patients while also expanding community outreach to tackle misinformation and stigma.
Fear and misconceptions continue to hinder response efforts, with some communities attributing the disease to supernatural causes.
“At the beginning, people ran away. They didn’t want you to come close,” Musa said. “They thought it was a curse—people thought it was witchcraft.”
MSF health promoter Tumaini Kombe said building trust within communities is key to improving early reporting and treatment.
“We don’t fight people’s beliefs,” Kombe explained. “We work through the people they trust. If the village chief shares the right information, that’s a real success.”
Between January 2025 and February 2026, MSF teams reached more than 186,000 people through awareness campaigns, referring over 1,600 suspected cases for testing.
Beyond treatment, the organisation is also supporting survivors who often face long-term complications such as hearing loss and neurological issues.
As the current peak season begins to ease, MSF is shifting focus to long-term preparedness, including training health workers, improving surveillance systems and piloting rodent control programmes.
“Every year, we are seeing bigger numbers,” Raji warned. “Lassa fever is not going away, and our work with the Ministry of Health remains a critical lifeline for thousands of people.”
Health authorities continue to urge Nigerians to maintain proper hygiene, avoid contact with rodents and seek immediate medical care if symptoms arise.
