A 31-year-old medical doctor, who recently returned to Nigeria from the United Kingdom, has tragically died from Lassa fever, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed.
In a public advisory released on Sunday, March 9, the NCDC disclosed that the doctor passed away on March 1 after being managed at a private hospital in Ondo State.
According to the health agency, the physician had traveled to the UK on February 19, 2025, and returned to Nigeria on February 27, 2025. He was suspected of having Lassa fever after showing symptoms, and samples were collected on February 28 for testing. Unfortunately, he succumbed to the illness in the early hours of March 1.
Laboratory tests later confirmed Lassa fever through PCR testing on March 4, 2025. Reports indicate that before falling ill, the deceased had visited his fiancée in Edo State, along with other family members and friends.
Lassa fever is a viral haemorrhagic disease caused by the Lassa virus, primarily transmitted through contact with food or household items contaminated by the multimammate rat, also known as the African rat. Other rodents can also serve as carriers of the virus.
The NCDC noted that Lassa fever infections occur throughout the year, with peak transmission usually recorded between October and May.
As of Epidemiological Week 9 (February 24 – March 2, 2025), Nigeria has recorded:
- 2,728 suspected cases
- 535 confirmed cases
- 98 deaths, translating to an 18.3% fatality rate
States Most Affected
Five states account for 91% of confirmed Lassa fever cases:
- Ondo (31%)
- Bauchi (24%)
- Edo (17%)
- Taraba (16%)
- Ebonyi (3%)
Additionally, 10 Local Government Areas (LGAs) contribute to 68% of confirmed cases, including:
- Owo, Akure South (Ondo State)
- Etsako West, Esan North-East (Edo State)
- Kirfi, Bauchi, Toro (Bauchi State)
- Akoko South-West (Ondo State)
- Bali, Jalingo (Taraba State)
The NCDC continues to urge Nigerians to take precautionary measures, including proper food storage, rodent control, and early medical intervention for individuals experiencing symptoms such as fever, weakness, and bleeding.
