As Nigerians prepare for the festive season, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention on Tuesday urged citizens to celebrate responsibly and prioritise their health.
The NCDC also warned that the combination of increased travel, crowded gatherings, and the dry season could heighten the risk of infectious diseases.
In a public health advisory signed by the Director-General of the centre, Dr Jide Idris, the agency highlighted Lassa fever, Cerebrospinal Meningitis and diarrhoeal diseases as major concerns during this period.
This advisory follows concerns that increased travel, crowded celebrations, and the dry season may fuel a surge in infections, particularly Lassa fever, meningitis, and foodborne illnesses.
Idris stated, “This period of increased travel, large gatherings, and food sharing, coupled with the dry season, increases the risk of infectious disease transmission.
“Key public health risks during this period are Lassa fever, Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM), diarrhoeal diseases and foodborne illnesses (linked to poor food handling, storage, and hygiene), and Antimicrobial Resistance.
“These conditions significantly increase the risk of antibiotic misuse and overuse, which accelerate antimicrobial resistance and make common infections harder to treat.”
