Nigeria's Fatal Lassa Outbreak Elevates Concern

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed today an outbreak of Lassa fever in several states in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

On April 24, 2023, the CDC reissued a Watch - Level 1, Practice Usual Precautions alert in reaction to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention reporting over 150 Lassa fever-related fatalities in April 2023.

The CDC says visitors to Nigeria should avoid contact with rodents, food, and material that could be contaminated with rodent urine or droppings.

Furthermore, travelers to Nigeria should seek medical care immediately if they develop (during or after travel) fever, chills, headache, fatigue, bleeding, trouble breathing, vomiting, facial swelling, or pain in the chest, back, and abdomen. 

Urgency is essential since treatment with antiviral medicine is most effective during the early stages of illness. 

Unfortunately, there are no Lassa fever vaccines as of April 25, 2023.

However, travel vaccines are available for Nigeria's other disease outbreaks in 2023, such as polio, yellow fever, and measles.