The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed the death of a 31-year-old physician who recently returned from the United Kingdom after contracting Lassa fever.
According to NCDC Director-General, Dr. Jide Idris, the patient, diagnosed in Ondo State, succumbed to the disease before test results confirmed the infection. The case has prompted heightened surveillance and precautionary measures to prevent further spread.
The NCDC’s latest epidemiological report revealed that Nigeria has recorded 2,728 suspected cases and 535 confirmed cases of Lassa fever in 2025, with 98 fatalities across 14 states. Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba, and Ebonyi account for 91% of all confirmed cases.
Investigations showed that the deceased physician had visited his fiancée in Edo State before traveling to the UK on February 19. He returned on February 27 and was admitted to a private hospital in Ondo State with symptoms suggestive of Lassa fever. Samples were taken on February 28, but he passed away on March 1 before the diagnosis was confirmed on March 4.
The NCDC, in collaboration with the Ondo State Ministry of Health, has launched contact tracing efforts in Nigeria and the UK to curb potential spread. Authorities are identifying and monitoring individuals who had contact with the deceased, including family members, healthcare workers, and flight co-passengers.
Dr. Idris emphasized the importance of maintaining proper hygiene, controlling rodent populations, and seeking early medical intervention for suspected cases. He also warned that Lassa fever, a viral hemorrhagic disease primarily spread through contact with rodent-contaminated food or household items, remains a significant public health challenge with a high mortality rate and potential for international transmission.
