The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has reported the death of a 31-year-old physician due to Lassa fever. The physician had traveled to the United Kingdom and upon returning, passed away from the illness. The NCDC mentioned that contact tracing measures have been put in place in Ondo State to prevent further spread of the disease. The deceased had visited his fiancée in Edo State and other acquaintances before his UK trip.
The NCDC emphasized the need for thorough contact tracing and monitoring of potential contacts to contain the spread of Lassa fever. The virus is a hemorrhagic fever caused by the Lassa virus. The NCDC’s data showed an increase in Lassa fever cases in Nigeria, with a total of 535 confirmed cases and 98 deaths across 14 states as of March 2, 2025.
Lassa fever is a year-round concern in Nigeria, with higher transmission rates between October and May annually. The NCDC urged early reporting of symptoms related to Lassa fever, such as fever, body weakness, cough, nausea, and bleeding in severe cases, to facilitate prompt diagnosis and treatment and improve patient outcomes.