Lassa fever has killed a medical doctor in Ondo, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention says.

The 31-year-old doctor was managed at a private health facility in the state earlier before he travelled to the UK and returned home before succumbing to the illness. 

Jide Idris, the NCDC director-general, disclosed this in a public advisory released on Monday. 

“On March 5, 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. The patient, a 31-year-old physician, was managed at a private health facility in Ondo State after returning from a trip abroad (UK). 

“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 NCDC statement said.

It added, “The laboratory investigation returned a result and 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.’’

Mr Idris disclosed that authorities had begun tracking people who came in contact with the deceased, especially the passengers on his flight, to prevent further spread of the disease.

According to the NCDC chief, no fewer than 535 cases of Lassa fever are confirmed out of 2,728 suspected cases this year, with 98 deaths recorded.

Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba, and Ebonyi recorded the highest number of cases. 

Mr Idris also urged the general public to keep their environment clean, store food in sealed containers, cover dustbins, and block holes in their house to prevent rats from entering.