- A 31-year-old physician dies after returning from the UK, with NCDC confirming the cause.
- Health officials track individuals who had contact with the deceased, including flight passengers, to curb the spread.
- NCDC reports 535 confirmed Lassa fever cases and 98 deaths, with Ondo, Bauchi, and Edo among the worst-hit states.
Lassa fever has claimed the life of a medical doctor in Ondo State, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed.
EKO HOT BLOG gathered that the 31-year-old physician was initially treated at a private health facility in Ondo before traveling to the United Kingdom. Upon his return, he succumbed to the illness.
EDITOR’S PICK
- Eredo Bolar Chairman Distances Group from Cable Vandals, Calls for Vigilance
- Oyetola Assures Investors of Nigerian Ports’ Viability, Safety
- Jandor, Supporters Dumps PDP, Slams Bode George Leadership
NCDC Director-General Jide Idris disclosed this in a public advisory issued on Monday.
“On March 5, 2025, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention was notified by the Ondo State Ministry of Health of a confirmed Lassa fever case. The patient, a 31-year-old doctor, had returned from a trip abroad (UK) and was managed at a private health facility in Ondo State.
“The patient left Nigeria on February 19, 2025, and returned on February 27, 2025. Samples were collected late on Friday, February 28, on suspicion of Lassa fever, but unfortunately, he passed away in the early hours of Saturday, March 1,” the NCDC statement read.
The agency confirmed that laboratory tests conducted on March 4, 2025, returned a positive result for Lassa fever. Before traveling abroad, the deceased had visited his fiancée in Edo State, along with family and friends.
Mr. Idris stated that health authorities have begun tracing individuals who had contact with the deceased, including passengers from his flight, to prevent further spread of the virus.
FURTHER READING
- Senate Crisis Deepens As FCT Senator, Kingibe Reacts to Natasha’s Outburst and Allegations
- Goodluck Jonathan Reveals Pressures Behind Non-Implementation of National Conference Recommendations
- ‘Possible Chaos’ : Lagos Assembly Orders Remote Work Amid Obasa, Meranda Leadership Crisis
According to the NCDC, 535 cases of Lassa fever have been confirmed out of 2,728 suspected cases this year, with 98 deaths recorded so far.
The states most affected include Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba, and Ebonyi.
Mr. Idris urged the public to take preventive measures by keeping their surroundings clean, storing food in sealed containers, covering dustbins, and blocking holes to prevent rats from entering homes.
