A Lassa fever outbreak in Taraba State has resulted in 14 deaths over the past three months, with six fatalities recorded just last week.
Dr Kuni Joseph, Head of Clinical Services at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Jalingo, described the outbreak as unprecedented for the state.
“This is the first time we are witnessing such a high number of cases in Taraba State. Efforts are underway to tackle the situation,” he said.
Since October 24, 2024, the state has documented 84 suspected cases of the disease, 33 of which have been confirmed positive.
Despite the concerning statistics, nine patients have recovered and been discharged, while six others are still receiving treatment at FMC Jalingo.
Dr Joseph reassured the public that measures are being implemented to curb the spread of the disease.
He highlighted collaborative efforts involving FMC Jalingo, the Taraba State Ministry of Health, and the World Health Organization (WHO) to address the crisis effectively.
