Nigeria experienced the largest Lassa fever outbreak in its history between January to May 2018 with 432 confirmed cases and 108 deaths (Case fatality rate 25%) recorded across 71 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in 21 states. On 10 May 2018 the Honourable Minister of Health of Nigeria declared the emergency phase of the outbreak over.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO) conducted the Lassa Fever After Action Review on Lassa fever (AAR) which took place in Abuja, between 4-7 June 2018. The AAR aimed at sharing experiences, identifying best practices, gaps and lessons learnt to strengthen subsequent preparedness and response measures.

A total of 65 participants drawn from the Federal and State Ministries of Health, Lassa Fever Steering committee members, case management physicians, Laboratorians, Non-governmental organization (NGOs) and key partners participated in this event. In addition, there were 13 facilitators from NCDC, WHO (Country Office, Regional Office for Africa, headquarters).

Qualitative and participatory approaches were applied using the standardized WHO framework and tools.

The meeting provided ample opportunity for detailed discussions on the existing health system capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to Lassa fever outbreak.

The AAR was successfully conducted with active participation of all participants, stakeholders and partners. Implementation of agreed priority actions will be critical for improving future response to Lassa fever outbreak and other public health emergencies in Nigeria.

The resulting recommendations were converted into targeted activities to be integrated in the national and state Lassa fever action plans.