Across Lagos State, residents are becoming increasingly anxious over a wave of persistent coughs, fevers, and flu-like symptoms spreading through homes, offices, and public places. Health professionals have raised concerns that these symptoms resemble earlier cases of COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019), prompting the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) to place its surveillance teams on alert.
Residents Battling Prolonged Illness
Forty-two-year-old Kabir Adeoye from Lagos has been struggling for two weeks with an unrelenting fever and exhaustion despite several rounds of treatment.
He recalled, “Despite completing my medications, I still felt the same way and wondered if the drugs no longer worked.”
Adeoye initially believed he was treating malaria but later became alarmed when his wife and two children developed fever and cough at the same time. “It was past midnight when I realised my kids were coughing and had high temperatures. We rushed them to the hospital, and they were diagnosed with malaria,” he said.
The experience left him confused since he regularly fumigates his home and maintains cleanliness. Further medical tests revealed flu-like infections that resisted standard treatment.
Similarly, another Lagos resident, identified only as Amusan, shared that her illness began with a dry throat before developing into a persistent cough. “It started with an itchy throat that wouldn’t go away. I bought menthol and lozenges, thinking it was ordinary catarrh,” she said.
Amusan’s symptoms worsened even after medical evaluation. “The cough was so bad my colleagues at work were afraid I could infect them. I took days off and even tried another hospital, but it lingered.”
She admitted fearing COVID-19 after reading reports of rising cases abroad. “I just hope it isn’t what I’m fearing,” she added.
To manage the condition, she turned to home remedies like ginger, honey, menthol inhalation, and supplements. “They helped a bit, but I still have a lingering cold,” she said.
Okay News reports that both cases mirror a growing pattern among Lagos residents who are visiting hospitals with identical symptoms.
Health Workers Describe Surge
At several health centres in Oshodi, Ikeja, and Surulere, nurses and doctors described an unusual influx of patients complaining of fever, cough, and body pain.
A nurse in Oshodi said, “For the past two weeks, we have had a steady stream of patients. It feels just like 2020 all over again when COVID-19 broke out.”
A doctor at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) also confirmed similar symptoms. “I have lost my sense of taste and smell, and I’m isolating myself until I can test for COVID-19,” he stated, urging the Federal Government to strengthen border screening.
Medical Experts Urge Caution
Consultant Family Physician at LASUTH, Dr. Oluwajimi Sodipo, confirmed an increase in upper respiratory infections such as flu, cold, and fever. “We have seen an upsurge in these symptoms. While some are mild, many resemble COVID-19,” he said.
He cautioned Nigerians against self-medication, advising proper diagnosis. “People should go for tests instead of assuming it’s malaria or typhoid,” he advised.
Pharmacies Struggling to Cope
Pharmacists in Ogba, Idi-Araba, and Ikeja confirmed overwhelming demand for cough syrups, cold tablets, and flu remedies. “We’ve sold out several times,” said pharmacist Chinedu Osita.
Another pharmacist, Aliu Abdulhafiz, noted rising prices. “Suppliers have increased costs due to the sudden demand,” he said, adding that climate change might be worsening viral spread.
Experts Warn of Surveillance Gaps
Virologist Professor Oyewale Tomori warned that weak disease surveillance and porous borders leave Nigeria vulnerable. “We missed a traveller with Lassa fever symptoms recently. If this continues, we risk a major outbreak,” he said.
Similarly, infectious disease specialist Dr. Iorhen Akase urged improved testing, stating, “Most Nigerians with cold symptoms don’t get tested, so we don’t know what virus is circulating.”
NCDC Monitoring Global Trends
NCDC Director-General, Dr. Jide Idris, confirmed that Nigeria is monitoring global spikes in respiratory infections, particularly in the United States and the United Kingdom.
“The agency has strengthened surveillance and is sequencing all COVID-19 samples to detect variants early,” he said. He urged Nigerians to maintain hygiene, wear masks in crowded areas, and get tested when symptoms occur.
