Abuja, March 29 (SANA) At least 25 doctors have been infected with Lassa fever in Nigeria as the outbreak continues to spread, raising concerns over the safety of frontline health workers.
The National Association of Resident Doctors said one doctor has died, while the Nigerian Medical Association reported at least 37 infected health workers, including three deaths among doctors.
Lassa fever is a viral hemorrhagic illness endemic to West Africa, transmitted through contact with contaminated food or rodents, or via human-to-human transmission. Symptoms range from mild illness to severe bleeding and shock.
Data from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control showed 146 deaths from 582 confirmed cases, with more than 3,200 suspected cases reported over 11 weeks.
Health workers warned of gaps in infection prevention, particularly in the availability and use of personal protective equipment, cautioning that infections may rise without stronger measures.
Authorities in affected states have stepped up surveillance, contact tracing and treatment efforts to contain the outbreak, amid concerns that the disease continues to pose a significant risk to medical personnel.
kh.Abdul
