The Nigeria Center for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed the death of a 31 year old physician physician managed at a private health facility in Ondo State after returning from a trip to the United Kingdom (UK).
The agency stated this in its latest Lassa Fever advisory on Monday.
Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic fever (VHF) caused by the Lassa virus. The natural reservoir for the virus is the multimammate rat (also known as the African rat). Other rodents can also act as carriers of the virus.
According to the NCDC, Lassa Fever cases are recorded all year round with peak transmission periods within October to May every year.
They disclosed that, “cumulatively, as at Epi-week 9 (24th February to 2nd March 2025), 2728 suspected cases; 535 confirmed cases and unfortunately, 98 deaths have been recorded across 14 states in Nigeria (Case Fatality Rate 18.3%).
“Five (5) states account for 91% of confirmed cases: Ondo: 31%, Bauchi: 24%, Edo: 17%, Taraba: 16% and Ebonyi: 3%. Ten (10) LGAs make up 68% of confirmed cases, namely Owo, Akure South, Etsako West, Kirfi, Akoko South West, Bali, Esan North East, Bauchi, Toro and Jalingo”.
The Agency disclosed that, “on the 5th of March 2025, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) was notified of a confirmed case of Lassa fever by the Ondo State Ministry of Health, in a 31yr old physician managed at a private health facility in Ondo State after returning from a trip abroad (UK).
“The patient departed Nigeria 19/02/2025 and returned 27/02/2025. Samples were taken late on Friday, 28/02/2025 on a suspicion of Lassa fever, but the patient unfortunately passed away in the early hours of Saturday, 01/03/2025.
“The laboratory investigation returned a result was Lassa Fever positive on PCR on Tuesday 04/03/2025. The patient was said to have visited his fiancée in Edo state, as well as family and friends before traveling”.
To enhance state and international level coordination of all control and management efforts, the Ondo State Ministry of Health has bolstered control and management efforts through contact tracing and line listing of contacts of the confirmed case.
Furthermore, all necessary in-country structures have been mobilized to ensure all possible contacts are traced and monitored.
In addition, the development was communicated to the Port Health Services to support contact tracing and line listing of contacts and bolster surveillance efforts at the point of entries and exists (information include patient’s biodata, flight details etc. shared).
The information was also shared with all relevant authorities in line with the International Health Regulations (2005), and contact tracing efforts also on-going in the UK.
The Advisory read in parts:
“Lassa fever is spread through:
Direct contact with urine, faeces, saliva or blood of infected rodents.
Ingesting food and drinks contaminated with urine, faeces, saliva or blood of infected rats.
“Contact with objects, household items or surfaces contaminated with urine, faeces, saliva or blood of infected rats.
Person-to-person transmission can also occur through contact with blood, urine, faeces, vomitus and other body fluids of an infected person, particularly in hospital environment where infection prevention and control practices are not optimal.
“Lassa fever initially presents like other common illnesses accompanied by a fever, such as malaria. Other symptoms include headache, general body weakness, cough, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle pains, chest pain, sore throat, and, in severe cases, bleeding from ears, eyes, nose, mouth, and other body openings.
“Early presentation to ensure diagnosis and treatment of the diseases can greatly increase the chances of patient survival. Early symptoms should be reported and admitted quickly for early treatment”.
