Lassa Fever Kills 15, 49 Infected In Taraba

A total of 15 residents have been confirmed dead and 49 others infected with Lassa fever in some local government areas of Taraba State.

The acting head of Clinical Services at the Federal Medical Center (FMC), Jalingo, Dr Suleiman Kirim, confirmed the figures in an interview with newsmen in Jalingo.

He expressed concern over the late presentation of patients at hospitals, which he said had contributed to the rising fatality rate.

According to him, 45 patients are currently receiving treatment at various health facilities, while 20 have been successfully treated and discharged.

He described the situation as the most widespread outbreak recorded in the state in the last 14 years.

“The outbreak has put health facilities, particularly the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Jalingo, under pressure as medical personnel intensify efforts to contain the spread of the viral haemorrhagic disease,” the head Clinical Services said.

According to him, many residents have delayed seeking medical attention, and often resorting to self-medication or traditional remedies before reporting to health facilities when complications have already set in.

“We are seeing cases that come in very late, and this reduces the chances of survival. Early detection and prompt treatment remain key to managing Lassa fever effectively,” he said.

Dr. Kirim also noted that misconceptions and misinformation about the disease have continued to hamper response efforts.

He said, some community members have remain skeptical about medical interventions, while others fail to comply with preventive guidelines issued by health authorities.

The Federal Medical Centre is currently working in collaboration with the Taraba State Government and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to strengthen surveillance, improve logistics, and enhance data management for effective response coordination.

Professor Joshua Difa of the Department of Public Health at FMC Jalingo emphasised the need for sustained public awareness and community engagement to curb the outbreak.

He warned that, Lassa fever, which is transmitted primarily through contact with food or household items contaminated by rodent urine or faeces, can spread rapidly, if preventive measures are not strictly observed.

He urged residents to maintain proper environmental sanitation, store food in rodent-proof containers, and avoid contact with rodents and their secretions.

He also advised health workers to observe strict infection prevention and control protocols.

Also, the head of Paediatrics at FMC Jalingo, Dr. Philip Aboki, called on parents to be vigilant, noting that children are also vulnerable to the infection.

He encouraged families to promptly report symptoms such as persistent fever, weakness, sore throat, vomiting, and unexplained bleeding to the nearest health facility.

LEADERSHIP Friday report that, state health authorities have intensified sensitization campaigns in affected communities, and has deployed rapid response teams and increasing surveillance to detect and isolate new cases.