B
y Feyisetan Hamzat | Benny News Hub
Lagos, Nigeria — October 18, 2025
A fresh wave of respiratory illness is causing concern in Lagos, as travellers arriving at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) and the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) in Ikeja are now being screened for symptoms of cough, fever, and catarrh.
According to a report by Punch News, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has heightened surveillance following an unusual rise in cases resembling COVID-19 symptoms and a recent spike in COVID-related deaths in the United Kingdom. Medical experts in Lagos have called for vigilance, testing, and restraint against self-medication.
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From Malaria to Mystery: Patients Share Disturbing Experiences
For 42-year-old Kabir Adeoye, what began as an ordinary bout of malaria turned into weeks of fever, chills, and body weakness that refused to subside.
“I took malaria drugs and even travelled to Kano, but the fever didn’t go,” he told Punch. “My palms and feet felt like they were on fire.”
When his wife and two children began showing similar symptoms — fever, cough, and catarrh — he became worried. Despite regular fumigation of his home, doctors still diagnosed malaria. “How could they all have malaria at once?” he wondered aloud.
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‘It Started Like a Dry Throat’ — Residents Battle Persistent Cough
Another Lagos resident, identified simply as Amusan, said her symptoms began in September with a mild sore throat that soon became a persistent cough. She initially managed it with menthol sweets but was later forced to take time off work when colleagues grew fearful of infection.
“I used ginger, honey, and steam inhalation,” she said. “It helped a bit, but the cold wouldn’t stop. I even started fearing it could be COVID again after seeing news of new cases abroad.”
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Hospitals and Pharmacies Overwhelmed
Hospitals and private clinics across Lagos are reportedly overflowing with patients showing similar symptoms.
A nurse in Oshodi likened the current atmosphere to “2020 all over again,” while a doctor at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) revealed he had also fallen ill and lost his sense of taste — one of the hallmark symptoms of COVID-19.
> “We need stricter screening at airports and state borders,” the doctor urged.
A consultant family physician, Dr. Oluwajimi Sodipo, confirmed a surge in respiratory infections in Lagos.
> “We’re seeing more people with runny noses, headaches, fever, and fatigue,” he said. “Some are worried it could be COVID. We’re advising people to test rather than self-medicate.”
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Drug Stores Feel the Pressure
Pharmacists across Lagos have reported a significant increase in the sale of cold, flu, and cough medications.
At NUKAI Pharmacy in Ogba, pharmacist Chinedu Osita said, “We even ran out of stock. The demand has tripled since September.”
Another pharmacist in Idi-Araba noted that up to 15 customers daily now come in with similar complaints.
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NCDC Urges Calm — But Warns Against Negligence
While no new COVID variant has been officially confirmed in Nigeria, health officials are not taking chances. The NCDC has urged Nigerians to practice hygiene, mask up in crowded places, and get tested when feeling unwell.
Experts have also warned that the current weather pattern — marked by fluctuating heat and rain — may worsen the spread of respiratory infections.
> “We must not panic, but we must be careful,” said Dr. Sodipo. “Early testing and treatment can make all the difference.”
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Stay Informed, Stay Safe
Benny News Hub will continue to monitor the situation as the NCDC intensifies screening and investigation into the growing wave of cough and fever cases across Lagos.
🩺 If you or your family experience persistent fever, cough, or loss of taste, seek medical help immediately and avoid self-medication.
