Lassa Fever Strikes Plateau State, Claims 2 Lives, Leaves Trail of Fear

By Emmanuel Kwada

A fresh outbreak of suspected Lassa fever has been confirmed in Plateau State, resulting in the loss of two lives. According to the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cletus Shurkuk, three cases of Lassa fever have been recorded, with two fatalities and one patient currently undergoing treatment. The cases were discovered in Kanam and Shendam Local Government Areas, with one patient dying in Shendam and the other at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital in Bauchi.

The Plateau State government has swiftly mobilized a team to the affected communities to assess the situation and educate the people on preventive measures. Fortunately, all contacts traced have tested negative, and the government is working closely with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control to prevent the spread of the disease. Dr. Shurkuk emphasized the importance of good environmental and personal hygiene in preventing the spread of Lassa fever.

214 cases and 39 deaths reported so far this year, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control

This outbreak is part of a larger trend of Lassa fever cases in Nigeria, with 214 cases and 39 deaths reported so far this year, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control. The affected states include Ondo, Edo, Bauchi, Taraba, Plateau, Ebonyi, Gombe, Nasarawa, Delta, and Kogi. The NCDC has activated the National Lassa Fever Incident Management System to coordinate efforts across multiple sectors and organizations to combat the outbreak.

The public is advised to take preventive measures, including proper food storage, rodent control, and early medical intervention in case of symptoms. By taking these steps, we can work together to prevent the spread of Lassa fever and protect our communities.