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Applied Sciences OPEN ACCESS

Digital Tools for Lassa Fever Surveillance and Outbreak Response in Nigeria: A Focused Scoping Review

Ayodele Israel Ajayi
MScPH, School of Public and Allied Health, Liverpool John Moores University, United Kingdom; and Department of Interdisciplinary Research and Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
Oluwafemi Emmanuel Ooju
MSc, World Health Organisation, Abuja, Nigeria; and Department of Interdisciplinary Research & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
Kennedy Oberhiri Obohwemu
PhD, Department of Interdisciplinary Research and Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
Celestine Emeka Ekwuluo
MPH, Family Health International, Dnipro, Ukraine; and Department of Interdisciplinary Research and Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
Gordon Mabengban Yakpir
PhD, Faculty of Health, Wellbeing & Social Care, Oxford Brookes University, GBS Partnership, Birmingham Campus, United Kingdom; and Department of Interdisciplinary Research & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
Kenneth Oshiokhayamhe Iyevhobu
MPH, Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Applied Health Science, Edo State University, Iyamho, Edo State, Nigeria; Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria; and Department of Interdisciplinary Research and Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
Oluwakemi Laguda-Akingba
FCPath, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha, South Africa; National Health Laboratory Service, Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
Eddy Eidenehi Esezobor
PhD, Department of Management Studies, Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia (UCAM), Murcia, Spain; and Department of Interdisciplinary Research and Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
Nera Perpetual Kadiri-Eneh
PhD, FWACP, Consultant Public Health Physician, School of Public Health, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria; and Department of Interdisciplinary Research & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
Oladipo Vincent Akinmade
MPH, Digital Health and Rights Project (Center for Interdisciplinary Methodologies, CIM), University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom; and Department of Interdisciplinary Research & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
Temidayo Joseph Oluwafemi
PhD, Department of General Studies, Newgate University, Minna, Niger State, Nigeria; Department of Engineering and Technology Management, University of Pretoria, South Africa; and Department of Interdisciplinary Studies and Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
Chisom Lucky Emeka
PhD, Vaccine Preventable Diseases Unit/Health Promotion, Disease Prevention and Control Cluster, World Health Organisation Country Office, Abuja, Nigeria; and Department of Interdisciplinary Research & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
Abidemi Aminat Ekunsumi
MScPH, Department of Interdisciplinary Research & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
DOI Crossref DOI 10.37547/tajas/Volume08Issue08-04
tajas 2026
VOL. 8 / NO. 08 AUGUST
FULL TEXT PP. 38-54
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VOLUME 8
ISSUE 08
YEAR 2026
PAGES 38-54
RESEARCH OVERVIEW

Abstract

Background

Lassa fever remains a persistent public health threat in Nigeria, where recurrent outbreaks place considerable demands on surveillance, laboratory services and outbreak-response capacity. Timely identification of suspected cases is particularly important because delayed notification and laboratory confirmation can impede case management, contact follow-up and infection prevention. Digital surveillance has increasingly been incorporated into Nigeria's response, with the Surveillance Outbreak Response Management and Analysis System (SORMAS) supporting electronic case-based reporting and real-time outbreak monitoring. Evidence on how these digital capabilities have contributed specifically to Lassa fever surveillance, however, remains dispersed across state-level investigations and implementation studies.

Methods

A focused scoping review was undertaken to synthesise evidence on digital technologies used for Lassa fever surveillance and outbreak response in Nigeria. The evidence base was identified from literature published between 2015 and 2026 and searched through PubMed, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, BMJ Global Health and Google Scholar. Eligible evidence was restricted to studies reporting digital surveillance applications or outcomes directly relevant to Lassa fever in Nigeria. Data were synthesised narratively because of heterogeneity in study designs, settings and reported outcomes. The synthesis examined electronic case-based surveillance, reporting and notification, contact tracing, real-time outbreak monitoring and implementation constraints.

Results

SORMAS was the dominant digital platform identified for Lassa fever surveillance. Evidence was reported from several Nigerian states, including Benue, Kaduna, Anambra, Ebonyi and Cross River. Digital case-based surveillance supported real-time tracking of suspected and confirmed cases and enabled geographical identification of areas with concentrated disease burden. Reported state-level case fatality rates varied substantially, from 24% in Ebonyi to 73.3% in Kaduna, indicating that improved surveillance capability coexisted with considerable mortality. Digital surveillance was also associated with improvements in specific response processes. In Ebonyi, contact-tracing completeness increased from 45% to 85%, while evidence from Cross River reported a five-day reduction in response time following the introduction of real-time alerts. Persistent constraints included unreliable electricity, poor internet connectivity, limited digital literacy, shortages of digital equipment and continued dependence on parallel paper and electronic reporting.

Conclusion

Digital surveillance has strengthened important operational components of Lassa fever surveillance and outbreak response in Nigeria, particularly case-based reporting, real-time monitoring, contact tracing and rapid transmission of surveillance information. The evidence also shows that stronger surveillance does not necessarily translate into low mortality where clinical, laboratory, infrastructural and workforce limitations persist. Digital platforms should therefore be positioned as components of an integrated outbreak-response system rather than stand-alone solutions. Sustained infrastructure, workforce capability, interoperability and long-term financing remain necessary to convert improvements in surveillance intelligence into stronger Lassa fever control.

RESEARCH TOPICS

Keywords

Lassa fever digital surveillance SORMAS outbreak response contact tracing disease surveillance Nigeria

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