Uncommon cough, fever in Lagos raise concerns
PUNCH has reported a recent surge in uncommon cases of cough and feverish conditions in Lagos State. The investigative report revealed that public hospitals, primary health centres, and private hospitals have become crowded with patients displaying COVID-like symptoms.
According to the report, a nurse at one of the primary health centres in Oshodi, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that the past two weeks had seen a consistency of patients with continuous coughs and fevers, comparing the situation to the 2020 COVID-19 period.
“The symptoms now seem worse, given the number we are seeing. What we used to see as the common cold years ago is nothing like this. Look at the people outside, they are all here to see a doctor. Honestly, I really do not know what is happening,” she said.
A doctor at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASU), also reported to have spoken on condition of anonymity, said he had been experiencing similar symptoms and as such, isolated himself in order not to infect others.
“This illness began on Friday, October 10. Since then, I had to isolate myself to avoid infecting others. The symptoms are very similar to those I experienced during the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020.
“I have lost my sense of taste completely, have a persistent metallic taste in my mouth, and am still battling cold and flu-like symptoms,” the doctor said, stressing that the persistence of the illness had left him anxious, while urging the Federal Government to intensify screening at airports and borders.
The report also cited a consultant family physician at LASUTH, Dr Oluwajimi Sodipo, who confirmed a surge in upper respiratory infections among residents in Lagos.
“We have seen an increase in the number of people presenting with upper respiratory infections such as runny noses, headaches, and fever. Sometimes, the fever is low-grade; other times, it is very high,” he said, adding that many patients had been observed with identical symptoms across different healthcare facilities.
“The symptoms are almost identical to COVID-19. We have respiratory tract infections, many of them viral in origin, including COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus,” Sodipo added.
Pharmacies were also reported to have seen a sudden rise in sales of cold and flu medications. A pharmacist who goes by Chinedu Osita at NUKAI Pharmacy in Ogba, said the number of patients purchasing medications had increased drastically.
“In the past month, we have seen a large number of people coming in to buy medication for cough, catarrh, and cold. Previously, we usually had one or two customers a week for such tablets, but since September, the number has increased drastically,” Asita said, noting that the surge in demand is placing much pressure on the supply network.
A pharmacist in Idi-Araba, Aliu Abdulhafiz, expressed similar concern, stating that they had experienced increased patronage of recent than usual.
Another pharmacist at Boluke Pharmacy, Ikeja, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the sudden increase in cold, cough, and flu cases was unusual and worrisome, adding that the surge began around August and September 2025, and had since overtaken malaria.
“Previously, most cases we handled were hypertension and diabetes, then malaria. Those were the majority. But starting from August and September 2025, we have been seeing a large number of cold and cough cases. They now outnumber complaints of malaria,” she said.
“This ailment is spreading faster than we think. You’ll treat someone for malaria or typhoid, and it’s not like they have tuberculosis. How can someone be dealing with a cough and cold for more than a month? It is serious, and the government needs to look into it,” she added.
According to the report, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) said it was aware of rising cases of COVID-19 and other respiratory infections in the United States and the United Kingdom.
The Director-General of the agency, Dr Jide Idris, said the situation was also being monitored in Lagos, especially with the upsurge of flu-like illnesses being reported, noting that though COVID-19 activities in Nigeria was low, the NCDC had increased surveillance and put measures in place to prevent a reemergence.
“The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention is aware of the recent global increase in respiratory infections, including rising COVID-19 cases in the US and UK. We also acknowledge concerns regarding the persistent wave of flu-like illnesses in Lagos State, especially given the State’s status as Nigeria’s primary international travel hub,” the NCDC boss said.
He further advised members of the public to be vigilant, while also maintaining preventive measures like hand hygiene and cough etiquette, as well as the use of face masks especially in areas with large crowd.
