The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has announced the end of the emergency phase of the 2020 Lassa fever outbreak, This was after a successful decline in cases below the emergency threshold, and an epidemiological review carried out by the NCDC and the World Health Organization( WHO).
NCDC activated a national Lassa fever Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) after the declaration of the outbreak of Lassa fever on 24th January 2020. They have been a collaboration with NCDC, the Federal Ministry of Environment and Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Response in the last four months for the fight against Lassa fever.
The NCDC recognizes that the absence of a vaccine, the country remains at risk of Lassa fever cases. The NCDC will continue to coordinate the national multisectoral Lassa fever Technical Working Group (TWG) to ensure continuous monitoring of cases, as well as strengthening of Lassa fever surveillance, diagnostic, treatment and other response activities across all levels in Nigeria.
The NCDC, Federal Medical Centre Owo, has begun the process for a large epidemiological study in collaboration with WHO and CEPI to contribute to the development of Lassa fever vaccine. The NCDC remains grateful to all frontline health worker for their hard work and dedication during the outbreak.
