Plateau State has reported an outbreak of Lassa fever, affecting seven local government areas, with 11 confirmed cases and four associated deaths since December 2025. The local government areas impacted include Quanpan, Shendam, Wase, Langtang South, Jos North, Jos South, and Mangu.
Dr. Nicholas Baamlong, the state Commissioner for Health, provided an update during a press briefing in Jos. He explained that health authorities were first alerted to the outbreak on December 20, 2025, following a case in Quanpan, prompting the activation of an incident management team.
So far, the state has registered 28 suspected cases, with six being confirmed positive. “We traced about 69 contacts, leading to 16 suspected cases and five confirmed positives,” said Baamlong.
The outbreak has resulted in four fatalities, including one health worker who treated an infected patient. The deaths occurred at three major health facilities in the state: Jos University Teaching Hospital, Plateau Specialist Hospital, and Bingham University Teaching Hospital.
Currently, 109 contacts are under follow-up as health authorities intensify surveillance. Dr. Baamlong noted the importance of public health education to combat the disease’s spread, stating, “We are commencing active public health enlightenment to address and suppress the transmission of this disease.”
Treatments, along with personal protective equipment, have been distributed to health facilities, ensuring availability at key hospitals. The commissioner urged residents to practice preventive measures and seek prompt medical attention if experiencing symptoms, emphasizing the necessity of collective responsibility in containing the outbreak.
