By Comfort Asemota
As Nigerians gear up for the festive celebrations, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has urged the public to celebrate with caution and place a strong emphasis on personal and community health.
The agency cautioned that increased travel, crowded social events, and prevailing dry-season conditions could significantly raise the risk of infectious disease transmission across the country.
In a festive season health advisory signed by the Director-General of the NCDC, Dr Jide Idris, the agency identified Lassa fever, Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM), diarrhoeal diseases, and foodborne illnesses as key public health threats during the period.
The advisory was issued amid growing concerns that population movement, large gatherings, and environmental conditions typical of the dry season may trigger a spike in infections, particularly Lassa fever, meningitis, and gastrointestinal illnesses.
Dr Idris explained that the convergence of travel, communal celebrations, and food sharing creates an environment conducive to disease spread, especially during the dry season.
He noted that major health risks at this time include Lassa fever, Cerebrospinal Meningitis, diarrhoeal diseases, foodborne infections linked to poor food hygiene, and the rising challenge of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).
According to the NCDC, these risks are worsened by the misuse and overuse of antibiotics, which contributes to antimicrobial resistance and makes common infections increasingly difficult to treat.
The agency stressed that Lassa fever, a viral haemorrhagic disease, remains a serious concern. The infection is commonly transmitted through contact with food or household items contaminated with rodent urine or faeces, as well as through contact with bodily fluids of infected individuals.
To reduce the risk, households were advised to store food in sealed containers, maintain clean surroundings, avoid bush burning that forces rodents into homes, and seek immediate medical attention if symptoms such as fever, vomiting, or bleeding occur.
The NCDC also warned that the dry season increases the likelihood of Cerebrospinal Meningitis outbreaks, particularly in vulnerable communities.
Nigerians were encouraged to avoid overcrowded spaces, ensure good ventilation indoors, and remain alert to warning signs such as fever, stiff neck, nausea, seizures, and sensitivity to light.
The agency underscored the importance of vaccination, especially for people living in high-risk areas, while strongly discouraging self-medication.
It further warned that improper food handling during celebrations could result in food poisoning and other gastrointestinal infections. Citizens were advised to wash hands thoroughly before and after food preparation, cook meals properly, store leftovers safely, avoid eating food left out for extended periods, drink clean or treated water, and use clean utensils to prevent contamination.
The NCDC also highlighted the heightened risk of antimicrobial resistance during the festive season, attributing it to self-medication, incomplete treatment, and the inappropriate use of antibiotics for viral infections such as colds, flu, and Lassa fever.
The agency emphasized that antibiotics are ineffective against viral infections and should only be taken when prescribed by qualified healthcare professionals. Patients were advised to complete prescribed doses, avoid sharing medications, and refrain from using leftover antibiotics.
Additional preventive measures recommended include regular handwashing with soap or alcohol-based sanitisers, wearing face masks in crowded or poorly ventilated areas, maintaining physical distancing where possible, and ensuring that routine vaccinations—particularly meningitis vaccines—are up to date, especially for children.
The NCDC reaffirmed its commitment to continuous disease surveillance, rapid testing, emergency response readiness, and support for state-level health interventions throughout the festive season.
Members of the public were urged to report suspected cases or seek assistance by calling the NCDC 24-hour toll-free line: 6232, visiting the nearest health facility, or contacting a Disease Surveillance Officer.
“By celebrating responsibly, we can collectively reduce disease risks, safeguard our loved ones, and enjoy a safe and healthy festive season,” the agency added.
