Infectious disease expert confirms Lassa fever is curable through early diagnosis and hospital-based care

UCH Ibadan consultant Dr. Olukemi Adekanmbi explains why Lassa fever is curable with early diagnosis and warns against the dangers of self-medication in 2026.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 24, 2026, 9:00 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Peoples Gazette

The Critical Importance of Early Intervention

Dr. Olukemi Adekanmbi, a consultant infectious disease physician at the University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan, has emphasized that Lassa fever is not a death sentence if managed correctly. In a statement on Friday, April 24, 2026, she asserted that the disease is fully curable when diagnosed and treated according to established clinical guidelines. However, the success of the treatment depends heavily on how quickly a patient seeks professional medical help after the onset of symptoms.

Recognizing Overlapping Symptoms with Malaria

One of the primary challenges in diagnosing Lassa fever is its clinical similarity to common illnesses like malaria and bacterial infections. Dr. Adekanmbi noted that because the symptoms frequently overlap, many patients attempt to treat malaria first. She advised that if a patient is not responding to standard malaria or antibiotic treatments as expected, healthcare providers and patients must immediately consider more unusual conditions like Lassa fever. Waiting for "unusual" symptoms such as bleeding is a dangerous mistake, as hemorrhagic signs typically only appear in the advanced, often fatal, stages of the disease.

Vulnerable Groups and Mortality Risks

While Lassa fever can affect anyone, the expert warned that certain groups face a higher risk of severe outcomes. Pregnant women and very young children are particularly vulnerable to a worse course of the disease. Dr. Adekanmbi stressed that presentation at a hospital during the early phase of the infection is when medical intervention is most beneficial. If the virus is allowed to progress without proper management, it can lead to multi-organ failure and death, highlighting the narrow window for effective treatment.