{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,23]],"date-time":"2026-10-23T23:17:06Z","timestamp":1792797426349,"version":"4.5.0"},"reference-count":52,"publisher":"Frontiers Media SA","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,7,16]],"date-time":"2025-07-16T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1752624000000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["frontiersin.org"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Front. Public Health"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Lassa fever remains a persistent public health challenge in Nigeria, with annual outbreaks expanding across the country. Between 2018 and 2023, the disease spread from 20 to 34 of Nigeria\u2019s 37 states, underscoring its endemic nature. Recent data from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) indicates 1,171 suspected cases, 290 confirmed cases, and 53 deaths between January 6 to 26, 2025, with a case fatality rate of 18.3%. Lassa fever transmission is highly seasonal, peaking during the dry months when food scarcity drives rodent-human interactions. Inadequate early detection, weak surveillance systems, and economic constraints exacerbate the burden on Nigeria\u2019s healthcare infrastructure. Environmental, socioeconomic, and systemic healthcare limitations drive the resurgence of Lassa fever. Climate change-induced shifts in temperature and precipitation patterns have disrupted rodent habitats, increasing human exposure to the virus. Additionally, poverty, poor sanitation, and urban expansion facilitate the proliferation of disease-carrying rodents. Limited funding and insufficient healthcare facilities hinder timely responses, contributing to high mortality rates. The economic impact extends beyond healthcare costs to agricultural disruptions, trade restrictions, and workforce productivity losses. To mitigate future outbreaks, Nigeria must adopt a multifaceted strategy that includes robust disease surveillance, the use of environmental data, effective rodent control measures, improved waste management, and strengthened cross-sectoral collaboration and policy implementation. Strengthening healthcare infrastructure, investing in vaccine development will enhance early detection and response efforts. By adopting an integrated One Health approach, Nigeria can improve disease control, reduce fatalities, and alleviate the economic burden of Lassa fever outbreaks.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3389\/fpubh.2025.1574459","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,7,16]],"date-time":"2025-07-16T05:39:19Z","timestamp":1752644359000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/crossmark-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":20,"title":["The resurgence of Lassa fever in Nigeria: economic impact, challenges, and strategic public health interventions"],"prefix":"10.3389","volume":"13","author":[{"given":"Stanley Chinedu","family":"Eneh","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Chidera Gabriel","family":"Obi","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Udokang","family":"Ephraim Ikpongifono","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Zakariya\u2019u","family":"Dauda","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Samson Adiaetok","family":"Udoewah","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Collins Chibueze","family":"Anokwuru","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Francisca Ogochukwu","family":"Onukansi","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Ogechi Vinaprisca","family":"Ikhuoria","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Temitope Olumuyiwa","family":"Ojo","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Chukwuocha Uchechukwu","family":"Madukaku","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Ibuchukwu Nkeonyenasoya","family":"Orabueze","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Amara Frances","family":"Chizoba","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1965","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,7,16]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"27669","DOI":"10.1038\/s41598-024-78726-3","article-title":"Lassa fever in Nigeria: epidemiology and risk perception","volume":"14","author":"Al-Mustapha","year":"2024","journal-title":"Sci Rep"},{"key":"ref2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e0279467","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0279467","article-title":"Epidemiological trends of Lassa fever in Nigeria, 2018-2021","volume":"17","author":"Dalhat","year":"2022","journal-title":"PLoS One"},{"key":"ref3","year":"2025"},{"key":"ref4","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"100","DOI":"10.11648\/j.ijdsa.20241005.12","article-title":"Modelling seasonal variation and Lassa fever outbreak in Nigeria: a predictive approach","volume":"10","author":"Musa","year":"2024","journal-title":"Int J Data Sci Anal"},{"key":"ref5","year":"2024"},{"key":"ref6","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"133","DOI":"10.1186\/s12982-024-00265-z","article-title":"The socioeconomic impact of Lassa fever in Nigeria","volume":"21","author":"Akindokun","year":"2024","journal-title":"Discover Public Health"},{"key":"ref7","first-page":"3568","article-title":"Health and economic impacts of Lassa vaccination campaigns in West Africa","volume-title":"Nat Med","author":"Smith","year":"2024"},{"key":"ref8","year":"2024"},{"key":"ref9","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1066","DOI":"10.3201\/eid2506.181035","article-title":"Epidemiologic and clinical features of Lassa fever outbreak in Nigeria, January 1-May 6, 2018","volume":"25","author":"Ilori","year":"2019","journal-title":"Emerg Infect Dis"},{"key":"ref10","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"694","DOI":"10.3201\/eid2204.150155","article-title":"Arenavirus Diversity and Phylogeography of Mastomys natalensis Rodents","volume":"22","author":"Olayemi","year":"2016","journal-title":"Nigeria. Emerging infectious diseases"},{"key":"ref11","author":"Bankole","year":"2024"},{"key":"ref12","author":"Adewole","year":"2024"},{"key":"ref13","author":"Atungwu","year":"2024"},{"key":"ref14","author":"Anofi","year":"2024"},{"key":"ref15","year":"2024"},{"key":"ref16","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1419","DOI":"10.3390\/microorganisms13061419","article-title":"A Review of the Epidemiology of Lassa Fever in Nigeria","volume":"13","author":"Asogun","year":"2025","journal-title":"Microorganisms"},{"key":"ref17","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1155","DOI":"10.1016\/S0140-6736(21)02488-0","article-title":"The Lancet Nigeria Commission: investing in health and the future of the nation","volume":"399","author":"Abubakar","year":"2022"},{"key":"ref18","author":"Nwifuru","year":"2024"},{"key":"ref19","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1464361","DOI":"10.3389\/fpubh.2024.1464361","article-title":"Cholera outbreak trends in Nigeria: policy recommendations and innovative approaches to prevention and treatment","volume":"12","author":"Eneh","year":"2024","journal-title":"Front Public Health"},{"key":"ref20","first-page":"146","article-title":"Challenges, and future perspectives","volume-title":"Viruses","author":"Aloke","year":"2023"},{"key":"ref21","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1049986","DOI":"10.3389\/fpubh.2023.1049986","article-title":"Emerging infectious disease outbreaks in Sub-Saharan Africa: Learning from the past and present to be better prepared for future outbreaks","volume":"11","author":"Moyo","year":"2023","journal-title":"Front Public Health"},{"key":"ref22","year":"2024"},{"key":"ref23","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"9","DOI":"10.3390\/proceedings2020045009","article-title":"Knowledge of Lassa Fever Disease and Its Risk Factors Among Rural People in a Nigerian Community","volume":"45","author":"Gobir","year":"2020","journal-title":"Proceedings"},{"key":"ref24","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1542842","DOI":"10.3389\/fpubh.2025.1542842","article-title":"The epidemiology of Lassa fever in Ghana: a study on the 2023 Lassa fever outbreak in Ghana","volume":"13","author":"Akowuah","year":"2025","journal-title":"Front Public Health"},{"key":"ref25","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"276","DOI":"10.1080\/20477724.2017.1369643","article-title":"Understanding the cryptic nature of Lassa fever in West Africa","volume":"111","author":"Gibb","year":"2017","journal-title":"Pathog Glob Health"},{"key":"ref26","first-page":"53","article-title":"Distribution of domestic rat infestation in homes of selected local government areas in Ogun state, Nigeria and its public health implications: a respondent-based approach","volume":"16","author":"Umoren","year":"2024","journal-title":"J Res For Wildl Environ"},{"key":"ref27","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"601","DOI":"10.4103\/NJM.NJM_138_20","article-title":"Household rat infestation and methods of its control in a Lassa fever endemic community in Southeast Nigeria","volume":"29","author":"Orji","year":"2020","journal-title":"Niger J Med"},{"key":"ref28","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e0003819","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pntd.0003819","article-title":"Patterns in Leptospira shedding in Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) from Brazilian slum communities at high risk of disease transmission","volume":"9","author":"Costa","year":"2015","journal-title":"PLoS Negl Trop Dis"},{"key":"ref29","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"20","DOI":"10.1056\/NEJM198601023140104","article-title":"Lassa fever","volume":"314","author":"McCormick","year":"1986","journal-title":"N Engl J Med"},{"key":"ref30","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e1011","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ijid.2013.05.015","article-title":"Containing a Lassa Fever Epidemic in a Resource-Limited Setting: Outbreak Description and Lessons Learned from Abakaliki, Nigeria (January-March 2012)","volume":"17","author":"Ajayi","year":"2013","journal-title":"Int. J. Infect. Dis"},{"key":"ref31","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.57046\/MQOX8712","article-title":"Challenges and Opportunities in Lassa fever Control Efforts in Nigeria","volume":"14","author":"Happi","year":"2021","journal-title":"Proceedings of the Nigerian Academy of Science."},{"key":"ref32","volume-title":"Annual report on Lassa fever response activities and healthcare worker training programs","year":"2023"},{"key":"ref33","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.4103\/0300-1652.218414","article-title":"Epidemic preparedness and management: A guide on Lassa fever outbreak preparedness plan","volume":"58","author":"Fatiregun","year":"2017","journal-title":"Nigerian medical journal: journal of the Nigeria Medical Association"},{"key":"ref34","author":"Obokoh","year":"2020"},{"key":"ref35","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","DOI":"10.4103\/phmj.phmj_20_17","article-title":"The unending threat of Lassa fever in Nigeria, what can be done; what should be done","volume":"11","author":"Denue","year":"2017","journal-title":"Port Harcourt Med J"},{"key":"ref36","author":"Nnaji","year":"2024"},{"key":"ref37","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"107","DOI":"10.2991\/jegh.k.190514.001","article-title":"Lassa fever-associated stigmatization among staff and students of the University of Benin, Nigeria","volume":"9","author":"Usifoh","year":"2019","journal-title":"J Epidemiol Glob Health"},{"key":"ref38","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3389\/fpubh.2024.1395939","article-title":"Double stigma: a cross-sectional study of Lassa patients with hearing loss in north Central Nigeria","volume":"12","author":"Best","year":"2024","journal-title":"Front Public Health"},{"key":"ref39","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e0010755","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pntd.0010755","article-title":"After action review of the response to an outbreak of Lassa fever in Sierra Leone, 2019: Best practices and lessons learnt","volume":"16","author":"Njuguna","year":"2022","journal-title":"PLoS Negl Trop Dis"},{"key":"ref40","year":"2025"},{"key":"ref41","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"37","DOI":"10.1186\/s40249-018-0421-8","article-title":"Re-emerging Lassa fever outbreaks in Nigeria: re-enforcing \u2018one health\u2019 community surveillance and emergency response practice","volume":"7","author":"Tambo","year":"2018","journal-title":"Infect Dis Poverty"},{"key":"ref42","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"206","DOI":"10.4102\/jamba.v8i1.206","article-title":"A review of studies on community based early warning systems","volume":"8","author":"Macherera","year":"2016","journal-title":"Jamba (Potchefstroom, South Africa)"},{"key":"ref43","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e59954","DOI":"10.7759\/cureus.59954","article-title":"Unveiling the influence of AI predictive analytics on patient outcomes: a comprehensive narrative review","volume":"16","author":"Dixon","year":"2024","journal-title":"Cureus"},{"key":"ref44","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"736","DOI":"10.3934\/publichealth.2020057","article-title":"Infectious disease outbreak preparedness and response in Nigeria: history, limitations and recommendations for global health policy and practice","volume":"7","author":"Olumade","year":"2020","journal-title":"AIMS Public Health"},{"key":"ref45","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1900272","DOI":"10.2807\/1560-7917.ES.2019.24.20.1900272","article-title":"Measures to control protracted large Lassa fever outbreak in Nigeria, 1 January to 28 April 2019","volume":"24","author":"Dan-Nwafor","year":"2019","journal-title":"Euro Surveill"},{"key":"ref46","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e70225","DOI":"10.1002\/hsr2.70225","article-title":"Challenges associated with re-emergence of Lassa fever in Nigeria: an exploratory study of epidemiology, phylogenomics, and recommendations toward its eradication","volume":"7","author":"Adesola","year":"2024","journal-title":"Health Sci Rep"},{"key":"ref47","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e11335","DOI":"10.1016\/j.heliyon.2022.e11335","article-title":"Risk communication sources and knowledge of Lassa fever in Nigeria: an impact analysis","volume":"8","author":"Ben-Enukora","year":"2022","journal-title":"Heliyon"},{"key":"ref48","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e0006829","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pntd.0006829","article-title":"Rodent control to fight Lassa fever: evaluation and lessons learned from a 4-year study in upper Guinea","volume":"12","author":"Mari Saez","year":"2018","journal-title":"PLoS Negl Trop Dis"},{"key":"ref49","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1324","DOI":"10.3201\/eid2407.151830","article-title":"Strengthening global public health surveillance through data and benefit sharing","volume":"24","author":"Edelstein","year":"2018","journal-title":"Emerg Infect Dis"},{"key":"ref50","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1405","DOI":"10.3390\/microorganisms8091405","article-title":"Zoonotic diseases: etiology, impact, and control","volume":"8","author":"Rahman","year":"2020","journal-title":"Microorganisms"},{"key":"ref51","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"236","DOI":"10.4274\/balkanmedj.galenos.2024.2024-140624","article-title":"A One Health approach to zoonotic diseases in extraordinary and ordinary circumstances","volume":"41","author":"G\u00fcd\u00fcc\u00fco\u011flu","year":"2024","journal-title":"Balkan Med J"},{"key":"ref52","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"S105","DOI":"10.1089\/hs.2019.0080","article-title":"Improving cross-border preparedness and response: lessons learned from 3 Lassa fever outbreaks across Benin, Nigeria, and Togo, 2017-2019","volume":"18","author":"Kaka\u012b","year":"2020","journal-title":"Health Secur"}],"container-title":["Frontiers in Public Health"],"original-title":[],"link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fpubh.2025.1574459\/full","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,7,16]],"date-time":"2025-07-16T05:39:20Z","timestamp":1752644360000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fpubh.2025.1574459\/full"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2025,7,16]]},"references-count":52,"alternative-id":["10.3389\/fpubh.2025.1574459"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fpubh.2025.1574459","relation":{},"ISSN":["2296-2565"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2296-2565","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2025,7,16]]},"article-number":"1574459"}}