Conference Abstract | Volume 8, Abstract ELIC202544 (Poster 052) | Published:  31 Jul 2025

Improving infection prevention and control during a Lassa fever outbreak: Experience from a Military Hospital in Nigeria

Ola Chikerendu Egbuta1,&, Joseph Okoeguale1, Mojeed Olaitan Rafiu1, Christian Ehigbor Erohubie1, Pristar Omogbai1, Pokyes Hosea Daburum1, Jacqueline Agbukor1, Thomas Olokor1, Rita Omoafeba Esumeh1, Winifred Ambrose1, Emmanuel Illonah1, Reuben Agbons Eifediyi1

1Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Irrua, Edo State, Nigeria

&Corresponding author: Ola Chikerendu Egbuta, Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Irrua, Edo State, Nigeria, Email: olaegbutac@gmail.com

Received: 15 May 2025, Accepted: 09 Jul 2025, Published: 31 Jul 2025

Domain: Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Infection Prevention and Control

This is part of the Proceedings of the ECOWAS 2nd Lassa fever International Conference in Abidjan, September 8 – 11, 2025

Keywords: Lassa fever, Infection Prevention and Control, Outbreak, Healthcare Worker

©Ola Chikerendu Egbuta et al. Journal of Interventional Epidemiology and Public Health (ISSN: 2664-2824). This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution International 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Cite this article: Ola Chikerendu Egbuta et al., Improving infection prevention and control during a Lassa fever outbreak: Experience from a Military Hospital in Nigeria. Journal of Interventional Epidemiology and Public Health. 2025;8(ConfProc5):00196. https://doi.org/10.37432/JIEPH-CONFPRO5-00196

Introduction

Lassa fever remains a serious public health threat in Nigeria, with annual outbreaks affecting healthcare workers due to inadequate Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) measures. As of March 2024, the country had reported 806 confirmed cases and 150 deaths, including 32 infections among healthcare workers. An outbreak at a Nigerian military hospital resulted in four deaths, three of whom were healthcare workers. In response, a multidisciplinary emergency team from the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital (ISTH) was deployed to assess IPC facilities and support clinical case management.

Methods

The ISTH team conducted targeted intervention from 27th February to 29th March 2024. IPC facilities and practices within the isolation ward were assessed using a checklist adapted from the World Health Organization’s 2017 IPC Assessment Framework. Structural modifications were undertaken to reduce transmission risks and facilitate effective barrier nursing. Confirmed cases were isolated and treated in the improved ward. In addition, comprehensive training sessions were provided to staff, focusing on Lassa fever transmission, hand hygiene, appropriate use of personal protective equipment, environmental disinfection, waste disposal and chlorine preparation.

Results

Initial assessment revealed that the isolation ward scored 39.0%, indicating major gaps in  IPC implementation. Following the intervention, key improvements included the demarcation of clean and contaminated zones, establishment of donning and doffing areas, and installation of hand hygiene stations at strategic points. The post-intervention IPC score improved to 73.5%. Three confirmed cases were admitted, treated with intravenous ribavirin and supportive care, and subsequently discharged without further deaths. Despite challenges such as staff shortages and limited resources, no additional health worker infections occurred.

Conclusion

The IPC and clinical response implemented by ISTH effectively curbed the Lassa fever outbreak at the Military hospital. Sustained investment in IPC infrastructure and personnel training is essential in strengthening preparedness and ensuring effective responses to future outbreaks.

 
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Keywords

  • Lassa fever
  • Infection Prevention and Control
  • Outbreak
  • Healthcare Worker
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