Taraba State is confronting its most severe Lassa fever outbreak in 14 years, with health authorities confirming 49 infections and 15 deaths across multiple local government areas. The scale of the outbreak, described by officials as the worst in over a decade, has strained healthcare resources and highlighted persistent challenges in early detection and public response.
The Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Jalingo, acting as a primary treatment hub, confirms that 45 patients are currently receiving care, while 20 others have recovered and been discharged. Dr. Suleiman Kirim, Acting Head of Clinical Services at FMC Jalingo, stated that the outbreak has placed “serious pressure” on medical facilities, with staff working continuously to manage confirmed and suspected cases of the viral haemorrhagic disease.
A critical factor in the high fatality rate, experts note, is delayed presentation at hospitals. Many patients initially seek self-medication or traditional remedies, only arriving at facilities when severe complications—such as bleeding or organ failure—have developed. “Early detection and prompt treatment remain key to managing Lassa fever effectively,” Dr. Kirim said, emphasizing that survival chances drop significantly once advanced symptoms appear.
Compounding the crisis is widespread misinformation and skepticism regarding medical interventions. Some community members doubt orthodox treatment and ignore preventive advice, a reluctance that delays care and fuels household transmission. Professor Joshua Difa of the FMC Jalingo Public Health Department stressed that Lassa fever spreads through contact with food or surfaces contaminated by rodent excrements, with human-to-human transmission possible in settings where infection control lapses. He urged improved environmental sanitation, rodent-proof food storage, and strict adherence to hospital infection prevention protocols.
Children are particularly vulnerable, according to Dr. Philip Aboki, Head of Pediatrics at FMC Jalingo. He advised parents to promptly report symptoms like persistent fever, vomiting, or unexplained bleeding.
In response, the FMC is coordinating with the Taraba State Government and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to enhance surveillance, logistics, and data management. State authorities have deployed rapid response teams and intensified community sensitization campaigns to improve early reporting and compliance.
The outbreak underscores urgent needs for robust public health education, strengthened early warning systems, and building community trust in medical institutions—factors essential to curbing transmission and reducing mortality in future cycles of the disease.
