Nigerian virologist Oyewale Tomori has called on federal and state authorities to treat Lassa fever as a national emergency.

Mr Tomori, in an interview with journalists in Lagos on Monday, urged the government to prioritise long-term solutions, including routine training for health workers, sustainable infection control systems, and timely funding for outbreak response.

He noted that technical expertise exists in Nigeria, but political ownership and sustained implementation will ultimately save lives.

According to him, no fewer than 10 health workers have died from Lassa fever in Benue, highlighting persistent gaps in Nigeria’s response to the viral haemorrhagic disease.

”Nigeria will do nothing serious, positive, and sustainable to control Lassa fever until the disease directly touches the political leadership.

”Let there be a case in Aso Rock, in the legislative assemblies, in the respected judicial chambers, or in one of the 36 state governors’ residences, and Lassa fever will become the national emergency tackled with no resource spared for its control,” said Mr Tomori.

The virologist added that government officials focused on public advisories such as hand hygiene and avoiding physical contact, rather than addressing and implementing effective structural measures.

He said the measures include protecting frontline health workers in deplorable health care systems and caring for Lassa fever patients.

”Distributing sanitisers at hospital gates and advising people not to hug or shake hands does nothing when your hospital system has become a source of infection.

”Recent deaths underscore the urgent need for a national approach to Lassa fever that goes beyond seasonal responses and public messaging.

”Outbreaks should be monitored as daily operational matters, not simply announced through newspapers and television.

”Health workers need protection through functioning isolation wards, adequate personal protective equipment, and strict adherence to infection control protocols,” he said.

Mr Tomori raised concerns about media representations of Lassa fever research and laboratory procedures, warning that inaccurate depictions could mislead the public and compromise scientific credibility.

”The pictures often used in newspapers show laboratory animals being handled improperly during experiments. This is unsafe, unethical, and gives a wrong impression of scientific practice,” he said.

Benue recently confirmed 45 cases of Lassa fever, with fatalities including five doctors, three nurses, and two support staff.

According to official reports, the state government has deployed 23 officers to curb the outbreak.

As Lassa fever continues to claim lives in endemic regions, the virologist warned that Nigeria’s recurrent outbreaks signal the need for robust national policies to protect health workers.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention reported an increase in confirmed Lassa fever cases in Epidemiological (Epi) Week Six of 2026, with 74 new infections recorded between February 2 and 8.

According to the latest situation report released, the figure represents a rise from the 44 confirmed cases recorded in Epi Week Five.

The 74 confirmed cases in Week Six were reported in Taraba, Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, and Ebonyi states.

A total of 271 suspected cases were recorded during the reporting week, with 15 deaths.

According to the report, the case fatality rate for confirmed cases in Week Six stands at 20.3 per cent.

(NAN)