Ondo begins contact tracing after UK returnee dies of Lassa fever
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed the death of a 31-year-old physician who succumbed to Lassa fever after returning from the United Kingdom.
The NCDC, which disclosed this in a public advisory dated March 9, said the Ondo State Ministry of Health had activated contact tracing to check the further spread of the disease.
It noted that the deceased visited his fiancée in Edo State, as well as family and friends, before travelling to the UK.
“All necessary in-country structures have been mobilised to ensure all possible contacts are traced and monitored, Port Health Services involvement in contact tracing and line listing of in-flight contacts to bolster surveillance efforts at the points of entry, and information has been shared with all relevant authorities in line with the International Health Regulations (2005), and contact tracing efforts also ongoing in the UK,” the NCDC stated.
Speaking further on the case, it stated: “On the 5th of March 2025, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention was notified of a confirmed case of Lassa fever by the Ondo State Ministry of Health, in a 31-year-old physician managed at a private health facility in Ondo State after returning from a trip abroad (UK).
“The patient departed Nigeria on 19/02/2025 and returned on 27/02/2025. Samples were taken late on Friday, 28/02/2025, on suspicion of Lassa fever, but the patient unfortunately passed away in the early hours of Saturday, 01/03/2025.
“The laboratory investigation returned a result that was Lassa Fever positive on PCR on Tuesday, 04/03/2025. The patient was said to have visited his fiancée in Edo State, as well as family and friends before travelling.”
Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic fever caused by the Lassa virus.
The NCDC said as of March 2, 2025, the cumulative number of Lassa fever cases in Nigeria had increased to 535 out of the 2,728 suspected cases and 98 deaths across 14 states.
The public health institute stated that Lassa fever cases are recorded all year round, with peak transmission periods between October and May every year.
“Cumulatively, as at Epi-week 9 (24th February to 2nd March 2025), 2,728 suspected cases; 535 confirmed cases and unfortunately, 98 deaths have been recorded across 14 states in Nigeria (Case Fatality Rate 18.3 per cent).
“Five states account for 91 per cent of confirmed cases: Ondo: 31 per cent, Bauchi: 24 per cent, Edo: 17 per cent, Taraba: 16 per cent, and Ebonyi: Three per cent.
“Ten LGAs make up 68 per cent of confirmed cases, namely Owo, Akure South, Etsako West, Kirfi, Akoko South-West, Bali, Esan North-East, Bauchi, Toro and Jalingo.”
Lassa fever is transmitted through direct contact with urine, faeces, saliva or blood of infected rodents, ingesting food and drinks contaminated with urine, faeces, saliva or blood of infected rats, contact with objects, household items or surfaces contaminated with urine, faeces, saliva or blood of infected rats, and person-to-person transmission can also occur through contact with blood, urine, faeces, vomitus and other body fluids of an infected person, particularly in hospital environment where infection prevention and control practices are not optimal.
Lassa fever initially presents like other common illnesses accompanied by a fever, such as malaria. Other symptoms include headache, general body weakness, cough, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle pains, chest pain, sore throat, and, in severe cases, bleeding from ears, eyes, nose, mouth, and other body openings.
“Early presentations to ensure diagnosis and treatment of the diseases can greatly increase the chances of patient survival. Early reporting of symptoms helps ensure timely diagnosis and treatment, thereby improving the chances of patient survival,” NCDC stated.
