The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed the death of a 31-year-old physician from Lassa fever following his return from the United Kingdom. This marks another tragic casualty in a growing Lassa fever outbreak that continues to spread across the country.
In a public advisory released on Sunday, the NCDC disclosed that the patient, who had recently returned to Nigeria from the UK, passed away on March 1, 2025, after being diagnosed with Lassa fever. The physician had returned to Nigeria on February 27, 2025, and was later admitted to a private health facility in Ondo State. Samples taken from him on February 28, 2025, confirmed the Lassa fever diagnosis after his death, according to laboratory results on March 4, 2025.
The NCDC also reported a sharp rise in the number of Lassa fever cases, with 535 confirmed cases and 98 deaths recorded as of March 2, 2025. The cases have been spread across 14 states, with a case fatality rate of 18.3%. A total of 2,728 suspected cases were reported during the same period.
Lassa fever, caused by the Lassa virus, is an acute viral hemorrhagic fever typically transmitted through contact with infected rodents, particularly the multimammate rat, or through direct contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person. The disease is most common between October and May, and its symptoms often mimic those of other common illnesses like malaria, making early detection crucial for successful treatment.
As of the latest report, five states account for 91% of the confirmed Lassa fever cases: Ondo (31%), Bauchi (24%), Edo (17%), Taraba (16%), and Ebonyi (3%). Ten local government areas represent 68% of all confirmed cases, including Owo, Akure South, Etsako West, and Kirfi, among others.
In response to the latest fatality, the Ondo State Ministry of Health has ramped up efforts to control the spread of the virus. This includes contact tracing, listing all individuals who had contact with the confirmed case, and coordinating with Port Health Services to trace potential in-flight contacts. Surveillance measures have been extended to international borders as part of a coordinated approach to combat the outbreak. Contact tracing efforts are also being carried out in the UK.
The NCDC has reiterated the importance of early detection, diagnosis, and treatment to increase survival rates. Symptoms of Lassa fever include headaches, body weakness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle pain, sore throat, and, in severe cases, bleeding from various body openings. Health authorities continue to emphasize the need for healthcare facilities to implement proper infection prevention and control practices to avoid further spread, especially in healthcare settings.
With the situation worsening, the NCDC has urged both national and international health bodies to strengthen their coordination efforts and continue vigilance to curb the spread of the deadly virus.
