NIGERIA: UK Returnee Dies Of Lassa Fever As Death Toll Climbs To 98 In Nigeria

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria

A Nigerian physician who recently returned from the United Kingdom, has died of Lassa fever, pushing the death toll from the disease in the country to 98.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed the death, stating that the 31-year-old doctor had traveled to the UK on February 19, 2025, and returned on February 27, 2025.

Shortly after, he fell ill and was managed at a private health facility in Ondo State.

Samples were taken on February 28, 2025, due to suspicion of Lassa fever, but he passed away in the early hours of March 1, 2025.

Laboratory investigations confirmed the diagnosis through PCR testing on March 4, 2025.

Reports indicate that the deceased had visited his fiancée in Edo State, as well as family and friends, before his condition worsened.

The NCDC’s latest public health advisory states that 535 confirmed Lassa fever cases have emerged from a total of 2,728 suspected cases across 14 states in Nigeria, with a case fatality rate of 18.3 percent.

Five states: Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba, and Ebonyi, account for 91 percent of the confirmed cases, while ten local government areas, including Owo, Akure South, Etsako West, Kirfi, Akoko South-West, Bali, Esan North-East, Bauchi, Toro, and Jalingo, have been identified as the most affected locations.

The Ondo State Ministry of Health has since intensified control measures, including contact tracing and listing individuals who had contact with the confirmed case.

The NCDC added that all necessary national structures have been mobilized to ensure proper monitoring of those exposed to the virus, while Port Health Services are tracing in-flight contacts to strengthen surveillance at entry points.

International coordination is also underway, with information shared with relevant health authorities in line with the International Health Regulations of 2005.

Lassa fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic illness caused by the Lassa virus, primarily transmitted through direct contact with the urine, feces, saliva, or blood of infected rodents.

The disease can also spread through the consumption of contaminated food or drinks and through person-to-person transmission, especially in healthcare settings where infection prevention and control measures are inadequate.

Infected individuals may initially experience symptoms similar to malaria, such as headache, fever, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, and sore throat.

In severe cases, the illness leads to internal bleeding from the eyes, nose, mouth, and other body openings.

With Lassa fever cases typically peaking between October and May, health experts have warned that Nigeria must act swiftly to contain the outbreak.

Public health officials stress that early detection, proper diagnosis, and immediate medical intervention significantly improve survival rates.

The NCDC has urged healthcare providers and the public to remain vigilant, practice strict hygiene measures, and report suspected cases promptly.

As the outbreak intensifies, the effectiveness of the government’s response will be crucial in preventing further loss of life.