Nigeria Records New Lassa Fever Case With Int’l Travel History

There are growing worries regarding the possibility of Lassa fever spreading internationally after the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) identified a new case in a 31-year-old doctor who just visited the United Kingdom.

Over the weekend in Abuja, NCDC Director-General Dr. Jide Idris announced the development, cautioning that Lassa fever remains a threat and that increased surveillance and preventative measures are necessary.


Idris claims that the afflicted doctor had been diagnosed in Ondo State and passed away before the infection was verified by test findings.

Idris said, "The case highlights the ongoing threat of Lassa fever in Nigeria and the potential for international transmission."

Lassa fever outbreaks have been a persistent problem in Nigeria, where a considerable number of cases were reported in 2025 alone. The nation has reported 2,728 suspected cases and 535 confirmed cases of Lassa fever this year, with 98 fatalities reported across 14 states, according to the NCDC's most recent epidemiological report.

The severity of the disease is highlighted by the current case fatality rate of 18.3%. With 91 percent of all verified cases, the hardest-hit states are still Ondo (31 percent), Bauchi (24 percent), Edo (17 percent), Taraba (16 percent), and Ebonyi (3 percent).

Idris further revealed that the disease has spread widely geographically, with the most impacted local government districts being Owo, Akure South, Etsako West, Kirfi, Akoko South-West, Bali, Esan North-East, Bauchi, Toro, and Jalingo.

A Nigerian doctor who had visited the UK on February 19, 2025, and returned to Nigeria on February 27, 2025, was the subject of the recently verified case. When he returned, he was diagnosed with Lassa fever and admitted to a private medical institution in Ondo State.

Samples were collected on February 28, 2025, however he passed away in the wee hours of March 1, 2025, before the results were available. On March 4, 2025, the NCDC verified that he had Lassa fever, according to Idris.

According to investigations, the dead doctor had visited his fiancée in Edo State and talked with relatives and friends before traveling to the UK. In an attempt to stop the disease's possible spread, the NCDC has started intensive contact tracing initiatives in Nigeria and the UK.

The NCDC and the Ondo State Ministry of Health have stepped up containment efforts in reaction to this outbreak. Important steps taken consist of:

Finding and keeping track of all potential contacts of the deceased, such as family members, medical personnel, and other travelers who were on the same aircraft, is known as contact tracing.

Enhanced surveillance: In order to stop more international transmission, Port Health Services has been enlisted to increase monitoring at points of entry, especially at airports.

International cooperation: To make sure that everyone who may have been exposed is tracked down and identified, the NCDC is collaborating with the UK health authorities.

In order to stop future epidemics, Idris emphasized the significance of public health recommendations, advising Nigerians to practice good hygiene, control rodents, and seek prompt medical attention for suspected cases.

The Lassa virus is the cause of Lassa fever, a viral hemorrhagic illness that is mainly contracted by coming into touch with food or household objects tainted by the urine, feces, or saliva of infected rats. Additionally, human-to-human transmission may occur, especially in medical facilities with insufficient infection prevention and control (IPC) protocols.

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 measures, Lassa fever remains a substantial public health concern, with a high fatality rate and the potential for international transmission, as proven by the recent instance.

The NCDC has issued an urgent advice to remind Nigerians of essential preventive measures, including:

Keeping rodents out of homes: Keep food in airtight containers and remove any areas that could attract rats.

Maintaining proper hygiene: Avoid eating food that has been left out overnight and wash your hands often.

– 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 promote fast response to suspected instances, the NCDC has set available a 24-hour toll-free helpline (6232) for public questions and emergency assistance.

With over 500 confirmed cases and nearly 100 deaths recorded so far in 2025, Lassa fever continues to represent a major public health danger in Nigeria. Stronger surveillance, early diagnosis, and rigorous adherence to preventive measures are urgently needed, as the recent travel-related case has shown.

Cooperation and public awareness are still essential to ending the Lassa fever transmission cycle. Nigerians must take proactive measures to safeguard themselves and their communities against future outbreaks as the government and health authorities ratchet up their efforts to combat the disease.

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.