Lassa Fever Outbreak: Taraba Records 14 Deaths, 33 Confirmed Cases
Over the last three months, Taraba State has reported 14 fatalities due to Lassa fever, with six deaths occurring in the past week.
Dr. Kuni Joseph, Head of Clinical Services at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jalingo, described the outbreak as unprecedented, noting that 84 suspected cases were recorded between October 2024 and January 2025, with 33 confirmed positive.
Dr. Joseph assured that collaborative efforts involving FMC Jalingo, the Taraba State Ministry of Health, and the World Health Organization (WHO) are underway to contain the outbreak.
According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Lassa fever is a severe viral illness that comes on quickly once someone is infected. It is spread by the "multimammate rat" or Mastomys natalensis (Mastomys), which is found throughout Sub-Saharan Africa. The first recorded occurrence happened in 1969.

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