A Nigerian doctor who recently returned from the UK has died from Lassa fever. The NCDC confirmed the death after his return on February 27, 2025. The country has recorded 535 confirmed cases, with a case fatality rate of 18.3%. Lassa fever remains a significant health concern in Nigeria.
A Nigerian physician, aged 31, tragically passed away from Lassa fever shortly after returning from the United Kingdom. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) confirmed the death on March 1, 2025. The doctor had arrived in Nigeria on February 27, 2025, following a trip abroad. After experiencing symptoms, he was admitted to a private hospital in Ondo State, where his condition worsened.
Though he tested positive for Lassa fever on February 28, 2025, the doctor sadly passed away the following day. A subsequent laboratory test confirmed the diagnosis of Lassa fever on March 4, 2025. The physician had recently visited family and his fiancée in Edo State before becoming ill.
Lassa fever, a viral disease spread by rodents, remains a constant threat in parts of Nigeria, with peak transmission typically occurring between October and May. According to the NCDC, the disease continues to cause significant concern, with 535 confirmed cases and 98 deaths reported across 14 states as of early March 2025.
The outbreak has primarily affected regions like Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba, and Ebonyi states. Health authorities have urged the public to remain vigilant and take preventive measures to control the spread of the virus.
