If you have been scrolling through your feed lately or tuning in to breaking news, you have probably heard and seen Lassa fever making headlines again. This time, it is not just talk — it has never been just talk. The numbers are real, and they are concerning.

As of late 2025, Nigeria has recorded over 1,000 confirmed cases of Lassa fever, with more than 200 deaths. That is a fatality rate hovering around 18%, which is higher than what we saw during the last outbreak.

States like Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, and Taraba are carrying the heaviest burden, accounting for nearly 90% of all confirmed cases. And it is not just confined to these states, the disease has spread to 21 states across the country, touching over 100 local government areas.

Why Is Lassa Fever Surging Right Now?

First, let's talk about timing. Lassa fever loves the dry season — think of November through May. During these months, food becomes scarce in the bush, so rats, specifically the multimammate rat, move closer to our homes looking for a meal. And where there are rats, there is risk.

Climate change is not helping either. Shifting rainfall patterns and prolonged droughts are pushing rodents from rural areas into cities and towns, increasing contact between rats and humans.

Add poor sanitation, inadequate food storage, and limited healthcare access and you have the perfect situation for an outbreak.

The scary part is about 80% of Lassa fever cases start off mild with fever, headache, sore throat and general weakness. Sounds like malaria or even a bad cold, right? That is why many people delay seeking help.

But for the other 20%, things can escalate quickly to bleeding, organ failure, and even death. Pregnant women are especially vulnerable, with maternal and fetal mortality rates exceeding 80% in severe cases.

So, What Can You Actually Do About It?

Now, I know reading about disease outbreaks can feel overwhelming. But the good news is that Lassa fever is largely preventable if you take some straightforward steps. You do not need some expensive equipments or advanced medical knowledge, just consistent habits and a bit of vigilance will do the trick.

Step 1: Block the Rats Out

Think of your home as a fortress. Rats are looking for entry points. Go on a rat-proofing mission. You see those holes in walls, gaps under doors, cracks around windows, seal them with cement, metal sheets, or wire net. If rats can't get in, they can't contaminate your space. It is as simple as that.

Step 2: Store Your Food Like It's Gold

That bag of rice sitting open in the corner of your kitchen is a perfect, open invitation. Store all your foodstuff (rice, garri, beans, corn, whatever) in containers with tight-fitting lids. Plastic or metal containers work best.

And please, avoid drying your food outside on the ground where rats can access it. If you must dry food outside, use elevated areas and bring it inside before nightfall.

Step 3: Keep Your Environment Spotless

Rats thrive in dirty environments. Dispose of your refuse properly, cover your dustbins, and make sure community dump sites are far from homes.

Don't let trash pile up around your compound because rats will definitely show up to the party. Regular cleaning is not just about looking clean, it is about staying safe.

Step 4: Set Traps and Eliminate Rodents

If you see rats around your home or community, don't just shrug it off. Set rat traps or use safe rodent control methods.

The fewer rats in your environment, the lower your risk. And please, if you handle or process bush rats for consumption, take extra precautions with hand hygiene and avoid direct contact with their urine or feces.

Step 5: Practice Good Hand Hygiene and Seek Help Early

Wash your hands frequently with soap and clean running water, especially before eating or preparing food. Use hand sanitizer when soap is not available.

And if you develop fever, headache, sore throat, muscle pain, or any unexplained bleeding, don't self-medicate. Get to a health centre immediately. Early treatment with antiviral drugs significantly increases your chances of survival.

We're All in This Together

Lassa fever is not just a government problem, it is also a community problem. This means the solution has to be a community effort too.

Talk to your neighbours, share information with your family group chats, and look out for each other.

The NCDC is doing their part with surveillance, rapid response teams, and public advisories. But at the end of the day, our daily habits in how we store food, clean our homes, seek medical help, will determine whether we beat this thing or let it continue claiming lives.

Lassa fever is back, yes, but we are not helpless. We have knowledge, tools, and most importantly, we have each other.