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ABUJA, Nigeria (NAN) - The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported a new case of Lassa fever involving a 31-year-old doctor who had recently visited the United Kingdom.
The NCDC Director-General, Dr. Jide Idris, shared this information during an interview with reporters in Abuja on Sunday.
He revealed that the patient, diagnosed in Ondo State, tragically died before the test results confirming the infection were received.
Idris issued a warning regarding the situation, emphasizing the necessity for increased surveillance and precautionary measures.
He pointed out that this recent case underscores the ongoing risk of Lassa fever in Nigeria and the possibility of international spread.
The latest epidemiological report from the NCDC indicates that in 2025, Nigeria has seen 2,728 suspected cases and 535 confirmed cases of Lassa fever, resulting in 98 deaths across 14 states.
“The current case fatality rate is at 18.3 percent, reflecting the seriousness of the disease. Five states—Ondo at 31 percent, Bauchi at 24 percent, Edo at 17 percent, Taraba at 16 percent, and Ebonyi at 3 percent—account for 91 percent of confirmed cases. The most impacted local government areas include Owo, Akure South, Etsako West, Kirfi, Akoko South-West, Bali, Esan North-East, Bauchi, Toro, and Jalingo.”
Idris explained that the confirmed case involved a Nigerian doctor who traveled to the UK on February 19, 2025, and returned on February 27, 2025.
“He was admitted to a private healthcare facility in Ondo State with symptoms indicative of Lassa fever. Samples were collected on February 28, 2025, but the patient died on March 1, 2025, prior to the confirmation of test results.
The NCDC validated the diagnosis of Lassa fever on March 4, 2025. Investigations showed that the deceased had visited his fiancée in Edo State before his trip to the UK and had met with relatives and friends. Contact tracing has since begun in both Nigeria and the UK to prevent further spread of the illness.”
Following the case, the NCDC, in partnership with the Ondo State Ministry of Health, has intensified its contact tracing, surveillance, and infection control efforts. “The agency is working to identify and monitor all potential contacts of the deceased, including family members, healthcare personnel, and fellow passengers on flights. Port Health Services are enhancing surveillance at entry points, especially airports, while working with UK health authorities for cross-border tracking of potential exposures.”
Idris reiterated the public health guidelines to mitigate further outbreaks, urging Nigerians to uphold proper hygiene, manage rodent populations, and seek immediate medical help for suspected cases.
He stressed that Lassa fever is a viral hemorrhagic disease mainly transmitted through contact with food or household items tainted by the urine, feces, or saliva of infected rodents. “Human-to-human transmission can also take place, particularly in healthcare settings lacking adequate infection prevention and control measures.”
“The NCDC continues to track disease patterns and deploy rapid response teams to affected areas, with specialized treatment centers available for severe cases. Ongoing public awareness campaigns aim to educate communities about rodent control, food safety, and early symptom reporting. Despite these efforts, Lassa fever remains a substantial public health challenge, with high mortality rates and the potential for international transmission, as shown by this recent case.”
