By Positive FM Newsroom
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) on Monday confirmed the death of a doctor from deadly Lassa fever.
In a public advisory released, the NCDC Director-General, Dr Jide Idris said the 31-year-old doctor, who worked at a private health facility in Ondo State, had recently traveled to the UK and returned home before succumbing to the illness.
“The patient departed Nigeria 19/02/2025 and returned 27/02/2025. Samples were taken late on Friday, 28/02/2025 on a suspicion of Lassa fever, but the patient unfortunately passed away in the early hours of Saturday, 01/03/2025. The laboratory investigation confirmed that he died of Lassa Fever. The patient was said to have visited his fiancée in Edo state, as well as family and friends befe travelling,.
Dr Idris said authorities are now tracking people who were in contact with him, including passengers on his flight, in order to prevent further spread of the disease. Providing the latest statistics on Lassa Fever, the NCDC Director-General, reports that 535 cases of Lassa fever have been confirmed out of 2,728 suspected cases this year, resulting in 98 deaths.
Most cases are found in Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba, and Ebonyi states, he says.
Dr. Idris advises the public to keep their environment clean, store food in sealed containers, cover dustbins, and block holes in their house to prevent rats from entering.
