The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has issued a fresh public advisory on Lassa fever following the death of a 31-year-old physician in Ondo State.
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The doctor, who recently returned from the United Kingdom, succumbed to the disease just days after developing symptoms.
In a statement signed on 9 March by the NCDC Director General, Dr. Jide Idris, the agency disclosed that as of 2 March 2025, Nigeria had recorded 535 confirmed cases and 98 deaths across 14 states. Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba, and Ebonyi accounted for 91 percent of the infections.
According to the NCDC, the deceased doctor had traveled to the UK on 19 February and returned to Nigeria on 27 February. He developed symptoms shortly after and was admitted to a private health facility in Ondo State. On 28 February, samples were taken for testing, but he passed away before the results confirmed Lassa fever.
“Samples were taken late on Friday, 28 February, on suspicion of Lassa fever, but the patient unfortunately passed away in the early hours of Saturday, 1 March,” the NCDC stated. “The laboratory investigation confirmed a positive result for Lassa fever on PCR on Tuesday, 4 March.”
The NCDC also noted that the physician had traveled to Edo State to visit his fiancée, as well as family and friends, before returning to Ondo.
In line with the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005), the NCDC has notified UK health authorities about the case.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has since placed some individuals under monitoring due to their recent contact with the deceased physician. However, the UKHSA assured the public that Lassa fever does not spread easily from person to person, and the overall risk remains low.
On the local front, the Ondo State Ministry of Health has intensified efforts to curb the disease’s spread through contact tracing and monitoring of those who had close interactions with the deceased doctor.
Additionally, the NCDC has engaged Port Health Services to monitor passengers who were on the same flight as the deceased upon his return to Nigeria.
As of 23 February, at least 16 healthcare workers across the country had been infected with Lassa fever. The disease remains a major public health concern, particularly in endemic states.
Lassa fever is a viral hemorrhagic disease transmitted primarily through contact with infected rodents, contaminated food, or household items. It can also spread from person to person, particularly in healthcare settings with poor infection control measures.
The natural reservoir for the virus is the multimammate rat (commonly known as the African rat), though other rodents may also serve as carriers.
Symptoms of Lassa fever include fever, headache, general body weakness, cough, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, chest pain, muscle pain, and sore throat. In severe cases, patients may experience bleeding from the eyes, nose, mouth, and other body openings.
To curb the spread, the NCDC has urged Nigerians to take the following precautions:
Keep homes clean and rodent-free.
- Store food properly in sealed containers.
- Maintain good personal hygiene, including regular handwashing.
- Healthcare workers should adhere strictly to infection prevention protocols, including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and isolating confirmed cases.
The NCDC also called on the public to report suspected cases to local Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers for immediate response and management.
“Preventing Lassa fever is a shared responsibility. Together, we can reduce the spread of this disease and save lives,” the NCDC stated.
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