Lassa Fever Crisis in Nigeria: UK-Based Doctor Among 98 Fatalities as Outbreak Spreads Across 14 States

A Nigerian doctor who recently returned from the United Kingdom has succumbed to Lassa fever, marking a tragic milestone in the country's ongoing battle against the deadly virus. With 98 reported deaths and 535 confirmed infections across 14 states, the outbreak has reignited concerns about Nigeria’s public health preparedness and the growing threat of viral hemorrhagic fevers.

According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), the nation has recorded 2,728 suspected cases of Lassa fever in 2025 alone. The virus has proven particularly aggressive, with a case fatality rate (CFR) of 18.3%—a statistic that underscores its lethal nature.

The most severely impacted states include:

• Ondo
• Bauchi
• Edo
• Taraba
• Ebonyi

These five states alone account for 91% of all confirmed cases, cementing them as Lassa fever hotspots.

Doctor’s Death Raises Red Flags on International Exposure

The late doctor, whose identity has been withheld for privacy reasons, traveled to the UK on February 19, 2025, and returned to Nigeria on February 27. Shortly after arriving back in the country, he developed symptoms and was admitted to a private hospital in Ondo State.

Despite medical intervention, he passed away on March 1, and his test results, confirmed on March 4, verified Lassa fever as the cause.

Notably, before his UK trip, he visited his fiancée in Edo State, interacting with multiple individuals, raising concerns about possible further spread.

In response to the doctor’s death, the NCDC and Ondo State Ministry of Health have launched aggressive surveillance and contact tracing efforts to identify and monitor all individuals who had close contact with the deceased.

Authorities are particularly focusing on:

• Healthcare workers at the private hospital where he was treated.
• Passengers on his inbound flight from the UK to Nigeria.
• Family members and friends he interacted with before falling ill.
• Residents of Edo and Ondo states where he traveled before his symptoms emerged.

In an effort to curb international spread, UK health officials have also been alerted to track any potential exposures abroad.

How Lassa Fever Spreads: Understanding the Risks

Unlike diseases that spread via direct human-to-human transmission, Lassa fever is primarily zoonotic, meaning it originates in animals—specifically Mastomys rats. The virus is commonly transmitted to humans through:

• Ingesting food or water contaminated with infected rodent urine or feces.
• Direct contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person (especially in healthcare settings).
• Handling objects or surfaces contaminated by the virus.

Key Symptoms of Lassa Fever

Lassa fever mimics common viral infections but can rapidly escalate into a life-threatening condition. Symptoms include:

• High fever
• Severe headache
• Muscle pain and general weakness
• Persistent vomiting and diarrhea
• Uncontrolled bleeding (in severe cases)
• Organ failure (kidneys, liver, or lungs)

Timely diagnosis and treatment significantly increase survival rates, making early detection a critical factor in managing outbreaks.

Preventing Lassa Fever: Public Health Measures and Safety Protocols

The NCDC continues to emphasize proactive prevention strategies to control the spread of Lassa fever.

Critical Preventative Measures Include:

✔️ Rodent Control: Keeping homes and food storage areas free of rodents by sealing entry points and maintaining proper sanitation.
✔️ Proper Food Storage: Storing grains and food items in tightly sealed containers to prevent contamination.
✔️ Hygiene Awareness: Regular handwashing with soap and water to reduce the risk of transmission.
✔️ Safe Healthcare Practices: Ensuring that hospitals follow strict infection control protocols to protect healthcare workers from exposure.

Government & Global Response: Is Nigeria Prepared for Future Outbreaks?

With the recurring nature of Lassa fever outbreaks, experts have long called for more aggressive investment in healthcare infrastructure, including:

• Early detection systems and better diagnostic facilities.
• Improved laboratory capacity for faster test results.
• Stockpiling antiviral drugs such as Ribavirin, which has shown effectiveness in treating Lassa fever.
• Public awareness campaigns to educate communities on transmission risks and safety measures.

Meanwhile, international health organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the African Centre for Disease Control, are working closely with Nigeria to boost its outbreak response capabilities.

While Lassa fever remains largely confined to West Africa, the recent international travel exposure raises alarms about the potential for global spread. Given the ease of modern air travel, infected individuals could unknowingly carry the virus to new regions, necessitating stronger global surveillance.

In neighboring West African countries, health ministries are already heightening border health screenings and enforcing quarantine measures for suspected cases to prevent spillover effects.

The tragic death of a promising Nigerian doctor from Lassa fever is a sobering wake-up call. With 98 lives already lost in 2025, it’s clear that Nigeria’s battle against this deadly virus is far from over.

Public health officials, government agencies, and international partners must work together to fortify containment efforts—because in the fight against viral outbreaks, proactive action saves lives.