The Taraba State Government has sadly confirmed that 18 individuals have succumbed to Lassa Fever within the state in 2024.
During an interactive session with a group of journalists, Dr. Joseph Kumi, Acting Head of Clinical Services at the Federal Medical Centre in Jalingo, revealed this alarming statistic.
Dr. Kumi noted that while one medical doctor who contracted the disease managed to survive and was recently discharged from the hospital after receiving treatment, the outbreak has had devastating consequences.
Providing further insight, he mentioned that the Federal Medical Centre sent 105 samples for testing between January and February. Of these, 60 samples returned positive for Lassa Fever, while 39 tested negative. Results for the remaining six samples are still pending.
Dr. Kumi explained that due to a fire incident that damaged the centre’s molecular laboratory, the samples had to be sent to facilities in Abuja or Bauchi for testing.
Expressing the challenges faced by the medical center, Dr. Kumi emphasized the need for additional assistance from the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the state government. Despite their efforts, the number of cases continues to rise, with 10 patients currently in isolation wards.
In efforts to mitigate the spread of the disease, Dr. Kumi highlighted the importance of public awareness and swift response to positive cases. He urged the public to maintain good hygiene practices and avoid exposing food to rats, which are the primary carriers of Lassa Fever.