LAGOS, Nigeria(VOICE OF NAIJA)- The deadly spread of Lassa Fever in Taraba State is intensifying, with the Federal Medical Center Jalingo reporting 42 deaths between November 2025 and March 2026, a development health officials say signals a rapidly escalating public health emergency.
Leaving dozens in the state dead and health workers overstretched, the fast-spreading outbreak amid shortages of doctors, testing delays, and rising patient numbers continues to cripple the health care sector.
At the state’s largest tertiary hospital, doctors and nurses are grappling with mounting patient numbers while coping with a critical shortage of medical personnel. The strain on the facility reflects a broader challenge confronting the health system as the virus spreads at an alarming rate across communities.
Describing the situation as alarming, the hospital’s Head of Clinical Services, Dr. Abubakar Kirim, warned that the outbreak is worsening.
“Lassa Fever is surging, and if not properly managed, it is claiming lives on a daily basis,” he said, characterizing the development as a “rapidly escalating epidemic.”
Hospital reports show that within the five-month period, 230 suspected infections were reported. Laboratory confirmation identified 102 cases, with 95 patients admitted for treatment. Only 30 patients were successfully treated and discharged, highlighting the severity of the disease and the pressure on available resources.
However, the response effort has been complicated by delays in laboratory testing. According to Dr. Kirim, shortages of diagnostic reagents sometimes force the hospital to send samples to laboratories in Bauchi and Edo states for confirmation. During these waiting periods, anxiety among patients has led to dangerous outcomes.
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“When we run short of test reagents, samples are sent to Bauchi or Edo for confirmation. During this waiting period, some patients get agitated and leave,” he explained.
Health workers themselves have also been caught in the line of fire. Three staff members, a doctor, a nurse, and a driver were confirmed to have contracted the virus while responding to the outbreak.
“Our health workers are risking their lives to save others. The shortage of doctors makes our work even more challenging,” Dr. Kirim said.
Consequently, the hospital has issued an urgent appeal for more medical personnel to strengthen its emergency response capacity, saying, “We urgently need more doctors to strengthen our response to this epidemic.”
Beyond clinical treatment, authorities say public awareness will play a decisive role in curbing the spread of Lassa Fever. Dr. Kirim called on ward leaders, local government authorities, and the Taraba State Ministry of Health to intensify grassroots campaigns aimed at educating residents about prevention.
“The epidemic is rising daily, and only a coordinated response can save lives,” he stressed.
Meanwhile, residents of Jalingo have been urged to limit contact with rodents, maintain strict hygiene practices, and seek immediate medical care if symptoms such as persistent fever, severe headaches, or unexplained bleeding occur, warning signs commonly associated with the disease.
The worsening outbreak highlights the vulnerability of healthcare systems during infectious disease crises while spotlighting the resilience of frontline workers confronting the epidemic with limited resources. Strengthening medical capacity, expanding testing access, boosting community awareness now remain crucial steps in slowing the deadly trajectory of the virus across Taraba State.
