The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed a new case of Lassa fever in a 31-year-old physician who recently traveled to the United Kingdom, raising fresh concerns about the potential for international transmission of the deadly disease.
The NCDC director-general, Dr. Jide Idris disclosed the development over the weekend in Abuja, warning of the continued threat posed by Lassa fever and the need for heightened surveillance and precautionary measures.
According to Idris, the affected physician had been diagnosed in Ondo State and succumbed to the disease before test results confirmed the infection.
“The case underscores the persistent threat of Lassa fever in Nigeria and the potential for international transmission,” Idris stated.
Nigeria has continued to struggle with Lassa fever outbreaks, recording a significant number of cases in 2025 alone. According to the NCDC’s latest epidemiological report, the country has reported 2,728 suspected cases and 535 confirmed cases of Lassa fever this year, with 98 deaths recorded across 14 states.
The current case fatality rate stands at 18.3 per cent, highlighting the severity of the disease. The hardest-hit states remain Ondo (31 per cent), Bauchi (24 per cent), Edo (17 per cent), Taraba (16 per cent), and Ebonyi (3 per cent), which collectively account for 91 per cent of all confirmed cases.
Idris further disclosed that the most affected local government areas include Owo, Akure south, Etsako west, Kirfi, Akoko south-west, Bali, Esan north-east, Bauchi, Toro and Jalingo, indicating a broad geographic spread of the disease.
The newly confirmed case involved a Nigerian physician who had traveled to the UK on February 19, 2025 and returned to Nigeria on February 27, 2025. Upon his return, he was admitted to a private health facility in Ondo State with symptoms suggestive of Lassa fever.
“Samples were taken on February 28, 2025, but before results were available, he died in the early hours of March 1, 2025. The NCDC confirmed his test results as Lassa fever-positive on March 4, 2025,” Idris stated.
Investigations revealed that prior to his UK trip, the deceased physician had visited his fiancée in Edo State and interacted with family and friends. This has prompted the NCDC to launch extensive contact tracing efforts both in Nigeria and the UK to curb any potential spread of the disease.
In response to this case, the NCDC, in collaboration with the Ondo State Ministry of Health, has intensified containment measures. Key actions taken include:
– Contact tracing: Identifying and monitoring all possible contacts of the deceased, including family members, healthcare workers, and passengers who were on the same flights.
– Enhanced surveillance: Port Health Services have been engaged to strengthen monitoring at points of entry, particularly at airports, to prevent further international transmission.
– International collaboration: The NCDC is working with UK health authorities to ensure that all individuals who had potential exposure are identified and monitored.
Idris reiterated the importance of public health guidelines to prevent further outbreaks, urging Nigerians to maintain proper hygiene, rodent control, and seek early medical intervention for suspected cases.
Lassa fever is a viral hemorrhagic disease caused by the Lassa virus, primarily spread through contact with food or household items contaminated by the urine, faeces, or saliva of infected rodents. Human-to-human transmission is also possible, particularly in healthcare settings with inadequate infection prevention and control (IPC) measures.
The disease is endemic in Nigeria and occurs throughout the year, with peak transmission typically observed between October and May. The high burden of the disease is attributed to widespread rodent infestations, poor sanitation, and limited public awareness, particularly in rural communities.
The NCDC has continued to implement multiple strategies to curb Lassa fever outbreaks, including:
1. Surveillance and Early Detection: The agency monitors disease patterns and deploys rapid response teams to affected areas to contain the spread of infections.
2. Case Management: Specialized treatment centers, such as the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital in Edo State and the Federal Medical Centre in Owo, Ondo State, provide care for severe cases.
3. Public Awareness Campaigns: The NCDC regularly engages in community education on rodent control, food safety and the importance of early medical intervention.
Despite these efforts, Lassa fever remains a significant public health challenge, with a high mortality rate and the potential for international spread, as demonstrated by the latest case.
The NCDC has issued an urgent advisory to remind Nigerians of key preventive measures, including:
– Keeping homes rodent-free: Store food in sealed containers and eliminate environments that encourage rat breeding.
– Practicing good hygiene: Wash hands frequently and avoid consuming food that has been left uncovered overnight.
– Seeking early medical attention: Symptoms such as fever, headache, sore throat, muscle pain, vomiting and unexplained bleeding should be reported immediately to health authorities.
– Healthcare worker precautions: Medical personnel, including doctors, nurses and laboratory staff, must adhere to strict infection prevention and control protocols to prevent hospital-acquired infections.
To facilitate prompt response to suspected cases, the NCDC has made available a 24-hour toll-free helpline (6232) for public inquiries and emergency assistance.
With over 500 confirmed cases and nearly 100 deaths recorded so far in 2025, Lassa fever continues to pose a grave public health risk in Nigeria. The recent travel-related case has reinforced the urgent need for stronger surveillance, early diagnosis, and strict adherence to preventive measures.
Public awareness and cooperation remain critical in breaking the cycle of Lassa fever transmission. As the Nigerian government and health authorities intensify efforts to combat the disease, citizens must take proactive steps in protecting themselves and their communities from further outbreaks.
With international travel increasing the risk of cross-border infections, health authorities worldwide are urged to remain vigilant and collaborate in containing the spread of Lassa fever.
