The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has raised alarms over the increasing spread of Lassa fever across the country following the death of a 31-year-old doctor in Ondo State.
According to the NCDC, the doctor had traveled to the UK on February 19, 2025, and returned to Nigeria on February 27. Shortly after, he developed symptoms of viral hemorrhagic fever and was admitted to a private hospital, where he passed away on March 1. Test results later confirmed he had contracted Lassa fever.
Health officials are now working to trace individuals who had contact with him, as he visited his fiancée in Edo State, as well as family and friends, before falling ill.
Lassa Fever Cases Continue to Rise
As of March 2, 2025, Nigeria has recorded 535 confirmed cases and 98 deaths from a total of 2,728 suspected cases across 14 states, according to Vanguard. Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba, and Ebonyi account for 91% of all reported cases, with ten local government areas—Owo, Akure South, and Akoko South-West among them—contributing to 68% of the outbreak.
Lassa fever primarily spreads through contact with the urine, feces, or bodily fluids of infected multimammate rats. It can also be transmitted from person to person, particularly in healthcare settings. Symptoms often resemble malaria but can escalate into severe conditions like internal bleeding and organ failure.
Ondo State Steps Up Containment Efforts
In response to the doctor’s death, the Ondo State Ministry of Health has intensified surveillance and launched a rigorous contact-tracing campaign. Health officials, in collaboration with both national and international agencies, including Port Health Services, are also monitoring possible exposure risks during the doctor’s recent travels.
The NCDC has assured the public that efforts are underway to curb the spread. “Early detection, diagnosis, and treatment significantly improve survival rates. Prompt reporting of symptoms ensures timely intervention, thereby increasing the chances of survival,” the agency advised.
Public Urged to Take Preventive Measures
With Lassa fever cases peaking between October and May, health experts emphasize the importance of rodent control, proper food storage, and maintaining good hygiene to prevent infections.
Authorities continue to stress that early detection and prompt medical attention are crucial in managing and reducing the spread of the virus.
