DISEASE OUTBREAKS: Lessons from cholera and Lassa fever

In recent years, Nigeria has faced a recurring challenge with the outbreak of infectious diseases such as cholera and Lassa fever.

These diseases, though preventable, continue to claim lives and strain the nation’s health system. Each outbreak exposes gaps in public health preparedness, sanitation, and surveillance that demand urgent and coordinated attention.

Cholera, a waterborne disease caused by poor sanitation and contaminated food or water, resurfaces almost every rainy season.

Despite repeated awareness campaigns, open defecation, poor waste disposal, and inadequate access to clean water persist in many communities.

These conditions create a fertile ground for the bacteria to thrive and spread rapidly among vulnerable populations.

Lassa fever, on the other hand, is a viral disease transmitted through contact with food or household items contaminated by rodents.

It is endemic in several states, with yearly spikes often linked to poor environmental hygiene and limited awareness about preventive practices.

Health officials regularly record new cases in parts of Edo, Ondo, and Ebonyi states, indicating that the virus has become a recurring public health concern.

Both cholera and Lassa fever reveal a consistent pattern: the absence of sustainable disease control structures at the community level.

Many health centres lack functional laboratories, while disease surveillance officers often operate without adequate logistics or incentives.

This situation delays diagnosis and response, giving infections time to spread unchecked.

Sanitation remains one of the weakest links in disease control efforts. In urban slums and rural communities alike, waste disposal systems are either poorly managed or non-existent.

Drainages are often blocked with refuse, allowing stagnant water to accumulate and serve as breeding grounds for bacteria. Access to potable water is also limited, forcing residents to rely on unsafe sources that heighten the risk of infection.

Public health education is another critical area that requires improvement. Many Nigerians remain unaware of how diseases spread or the simple measures that can prevent infection.

The absence of consistent health communication campaigns means that old habits—such as poor hand hygiene, unsafe food storage, and indiscriminate waste disposal—continue to undermine control efforts.

In health facilities, frequent shortages of essential drugs, protective equipment, and trained personnel make it difficult to contain outbreaks quickly.

Many hospitals operate without isolation units or standard infection control measures. When new cases arise, health workers face the dual risk of exposure and burnout, especially in regions where outbreaks occur repeatedly.

Early detection and reporting play a vital role in managing disease outbreaks. However, poor data collection and delayed reporting often limit the country’s ability to anticipate or prevent widespread transmission.

A decentralised surveillance system that empowers local governments to act swiftly could help bridge this gap and reduce dependence on reactive measures from the centre.

Environmental management is also key. Rodent control, proper waste disposal, and improved drainage systems can drastically reduce the spread of Lassa fever and cholera.

Community involvement in maintaining clean surroundings is equally important, as no public health intervention can succeed without local participation.

The use of technology in tracking outbreaks offers new opportunities for improvement. Real-time data collection, mobile reporting tools, and community-based digital alerts can enhance early warning systems.

If well implemented, these tools could allow health authorities to predict potential hotspots and act before infections spiral out of control.

Funding remains a major challenge. Many preventive programmes depend on donor support, which is not always consistent.

Sustainable financing from both federal and state budgets is necessary to strengthen public health laboratories, expand disease surveillance, and improve primary healthcare facilities.

The lessons from repeated outbreaks of cholera and Lassa fever are clear: prevention is far cheaper and more effective than response. Investing in sanitation, clean water, health education, and surveillance systems can save lives and reduce the economic burden of diseases on households and government alike.

As Nigeria works to build a stronger health system, coordination between all levels of government and the community remains essential.

The battle against preventable diseases requires not only medical intervention but also behavioural change, environmental management, and consistent policy implementation.

The country’s experience with cholera and Lassa fever serves as a reminder that public health security depends on collective responsibility.

Clean environments, safe food and water, and early detection are the first lines of defence. When these measures are neglected, outbreaks will continue to resurface.

In the end, the most valuable lesson lies in sustained commitment. Disease outbreaks can be prevented, but only when public health is prioritised as a shared duty—one that demands vigilance, planning, and consistent investment across every level of society.