Nigeria issues public advisory after UK returnee dies in Ondo

The Nigeria Centre for Illness Management and Prevention (NCDC) has issued a brand new public advisory on Lassa fever following the loss of life of a 31-year-old doctor in Ondo State. The doctor died a couple of days after getting back from the UK.

Within the advisory signed on 9 March by NCDC Director Basic, Jide Idris, the company reported that as of two March, Nigeria had recorded 535 confirmed circumstances and 98 deaths throughout 14 states in 2025.

The NCDC famous that Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba and Ebonyi accounted for 91 per cent of infections.

In line with the newest NCDC state of affairs report on its web site, no less than 16 healthcare employees had been contaminated with Lassa fever as of 23 February.

Doctor’s case

In line with NCDC, the deceased physician travelled to the UK on 19 February and returned to Nigeria on 27 February.After creating signs, he was admitted to a personal well being facility in Ondo State, the place samples had been taken on 28 February, however he handed away earlier than his take a look at end result confirmed Lassa fever.

“Samples had been taken late on Friday, 28 February on a suspicion of Lassa fever, however the affected person sadly handed away within the early hours of Saturday, 1 March,” NCDC acknowledged. “The laboratory investigation returned a end result was Lassa Fever optimistic on PCR on Tuesday, 4 March.”

The illness management centre famous that the doctor had travelled to Edo State to go to his fiancee, in addition to household and buddies, earlier than returning to Ondo.

In compliance with the Worldwide Well being Rules (IHR 2005), NCDC stated it has knowledgeable UK well being authorities.

In line with the BBC, UKHSA has positioned some people underneath monitoring as a result of doctor’s latest journey historical past.

UKHSA assured the general public that Lassa fever doesn’t unfold simply between individuals and that the general threat stays very low.

Ongoing response, worldwide coordination

To reinforce state and worldwide degree coordination of all management and administration efforts, NCDC highlighted ongoing response efforts and worldwide coordination.

It famous that the Ondo State Ministry of Well being has bolstered management and administration efforts by way of contact tracing and line itemizing of contacts of the confirmed case.

NCDC stated it has additionally engaged Port Well being Providers to observe people who had been on the identical flight because the deceased.

Lassa fever, prevention measures

Lassa fever is a viral hemorrhagic illness transmitted primarily by way of contact with contaminated rodents or contaminated meals and home goods.

It may possibly additionally unfold from individual to individual, notably in healthcare settings with insufficient an infection management measures.

In line with NCDC, the pure reservoir for the virus is the multimammate rat (often known as the African rat). Different rodents may also act as carriers of the virus.

Signs of Lassa fever embody fever, headache, normal physique weak point, cough, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, chest ache, muscle ache, and sore throat. In extreme circumstances, there could possibly be bleeding from the eyes, nostril, mouth, and different physique openings

NCDC urged all Nigerians to take essential precautions to guard themselves and their communities.

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It emphasised the significance of conserving houses clear and freed from rodents, correctly storing meals in sealed containers, and sustaining private hygiene by washing arms commonly.

The illness management centre referred to as on healthcare employees to strictly adhere to an infection prevention protocols, together with the usage of private protecting gear and isolating confirmed circumstances.

“Stopping Lassa fever is a shared accountability. Collectively, we are able to scale back the unfold of this illness and save lives,” it famous.

NCDC additionally suggested the general public to report suspected circumstances promptly to native Illness Surveillance and Notification Officers for fast response and administration.