March 10, 2025
A new case of Lassa fever has been confirmed in Nigeria with the death of a 31-year-old physician who recently traveled to the United Kingdom
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, NCDC, disclosed this on Sunday, in Abuja.
Director-General of NCDC Dr. Jide Idris, said the patient, was diagnosed in Ondo State, but succumbed to the disease before the test results were available.
He raised an alert on the situation and stressed the need for heightened surveillance and precautionary measures to be taken.
Jude, emphasized that the latest case is a testament to the persistent threat of Lassa fever in Nigeria and its potential for international transmission.
The deceased physician, had traveled to the UK on February 19, 2025, returned on February 27, 2025, and was admitted to a private health facility in Ondo State with symptoms suggestive of Lassa fever.
“Samples were taken on February 28, 2025, but the patient passed away on March 1, 2025, before test results were confirmed,” Idris stated.
READ MORE; Lassa Fever Outbreak Claims 13 Lives In Edo State.
The NCDC confirmed the Lassa fever diagnosis on March 4, 2025 and has commented contact tracing as investigations revealed that the deceased visited his fiancée in Edo State before his UK trip and also met with family and friends.
“Contact tracing efforts have since been launched in both Nigeria and the UK to curb further spread of the disease,” he said.
“The agency is identifying and monitoring all potential contacts of the deceased, including family members, healthcare workers, and co-passengers on flights.
Idris reminded the public of health guidelines to prevent further outbreaks, urging Nigerians to maintain proper hygiene, control rodent populations, and seek early medical intervention for suspected cases.
“Lassa fever is a viral hemorrhagic disease primarily spread through contact with food or household items contaminated by the urine, feces, or saliva of infected rodents.
“Human-to-human transmission can also occur, particularly in healthcare settings with inadequate infection prevention and control measures,” he explained.
The NCDC continues to monitor disease patterns and deploy rapid response teams to affected areas. Specialized treatment centers have also been providing care for severe cases.
