Lassa Fever: FG Tracks 357 Suspected Patients After UK Returnee’s Death

• NCDC is tracking 357 persons for possible Lassa fever infection.

• This follows the death of a 31-year-old physician who returned from the UK and died of Lassa fever on March 1, 2025.

• The NCDC reports 535 confirmed cases of Lassa fever across 13 states, with 75 local government areas affected, and over 100 deaths recorded.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has listed 357 persons for follow-up over the possibility of being infected with Lassa fever.

This is following the death of a 31-year-old physician who returned from the United Kingdom on February 27, 2025, and died of Lassa fever on March 1, 2025.

The physician was said to have been managed at a private health facility in Ondo State after returning from a trip abroad.

“Laboratory investigation confirmed the result as Lassa fever-positive through PCR testing on Tuesday, 04/03/2025. The patient was reported to have visited his fiancée in Edo State, as well as family and friends, before travelling,” the centre stated.

Data obtained from the NCDC on Wednesday showed that 535 persons have been infected with the disease out of the 2,728 suspected cases across 13 states, and 75 local government areas. It also noted that over 100 persons have been killed as of March 2, 2025, with a case fatality rate of 18.7 per cent.

Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic fever caused by the Lassa virus.

The natural reservoir for the virus is the multimammate rat (also known as the African rat), although other rodents can also act as carriers.

The public health institute stated that Lassa fever cases occur year-round, with peak transmission periods typically from October to May.

READ ALSO: We Are Now Dealing With Outbreak of Lassa Fever – NMA

The report partly read, “Cumulatively in Week 9, 2025, 100 deaths have been reported with a CRF of 18.7 per cent which is marginally lower than the CFR for the same period in 2024 (18.8 per cent).”

“In total for 2025, 13 states have recorded at least one confirmed case across 75 LGAs. 72 per cent of all confirmed Lassa fever cases were reported from these three states (Ondo, Bauchi, and Edo) while 28 per cent were reported from 10 states with confirmed Lassa fever cases.”

The NCDC added that the National Lassa fever multi-partner, multi-sectoral Incident Management System has been activated to coordinate the response activities at all levels.

Lassa Fever: Edo Confirms 10 New Cases

The Edo state ministry of health has confirmed 10 New Cases of lassa fever in the state.

According to reports, these new cases were discovered in five different local councils areas in the state.

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