The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed the death of a 31-year-old physician who died of Lassa fever after returning from a trip to the United Kingdom.
The NCDC revealed that as of March 2, 2025, the total number of confirmed Lassa fever cases in Nigeria has risen to 535 out of 2,728 suspected cases, with 98 deaths recorded across 14 states.
In a public advisory issued on Sunday, the NCDC stated, “On March 5, 2025, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention was notified of a confirmed case of Lassa fever by the Ondo State Ministry of Health. The patient, a 31-year-old physician, was managed at a private health facility in Ondo State after returning from a trip abroad.”
The statement explained that the deceased had left Nigeria on February 19, 2025, and returned on February 27, 2025. Samples were taken on February 28 on suspicion of Lassa fever, but the patient died on March 1 before the test result came out positive for the virus on March 4.
According to the NCDC, the deceased had visited his fiancée in Edo State as well as family and friends before his death.
Lassa fever is a viral infection caused by the Lassa virus, usually transmitted through contact with the urine, faeces, saliva, or blood of infected rodents. It can also spread from person to person through contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person.
The NCDC noted that Lassa fever cases occur throughout the year, with peak transmission typically between October and May.
“As of Epi-week 9 (February 24 to March 2, 2025), a total of 2,728 suspected cases, 535 confirmed cases, and 98 deaths have been recorded across 14 states in Nigeria, with a case fatality rate of 18.3 per cent,” the NCDC added.
Five states account for most of the confirmed cases: Ondo (31 per cent), Bauchi (24 per cent), Edo (17 per cent), Taraba (16 per cent), and Ebonyi (3 per cent).
Ten local government areas have been identified as contributing to 68 per cent of confirmed cases. These LGAs include Owo, Akure South, Etsako West, Kirfi, Akoko South-West, Bali, Esan North-East, Bauchi, Toro, and Jalingo.
To control the spread, the Ondo State Ministry of Health has intensified contact tracing efforts, listing all individuals who had contact with the deceased. The NCDC also confirmed that Port Health Services are working to trace in-flight contacts to strengthen surveillance at points of entry. Contact tracing is also ongoing in the UK.
The NCDC reminded the public that early detection and treatment significantly increase the chances of survival for Lassa fever patients.
“Early detection, diagnosis, and treatment significantly improve patient survival rates. Prompt reporting of symptoms ensures timely intervention, thereby increasing the chances of survival,” the agency stressed.
Common symptoms of Lassa fever include headache, weakness, cough, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, muscle pain, chest pain, sore throat, and in severe cases, bleeding from body openings.
The NCDC urged Nigerians to maintain proper hygiene, store food in rodent-proof containers, and avoid direct contact with rats to prevent infection.
