FMC Jalingo Confirms 50 Deaths in Severe Lassa Fever Outbreak
The Federal Medical Centre Jalingo has confirmed the death of 50 patients following a major outbreak of Lassa fever in Taraba State, describing it as one of the most severe incidents recorded in recent years.
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The Head of Clinical Services, Dr Suleiman Abubakar Kirim, disclosed this during an interview with journalists, noting that the facility handled a total of 226 suspected cases. Out of these, 95 were laboratory-confirmed infections.
According to him, 50 of the confirmed cases resulted in fatalities, while 20 patients have been successfully treated and discharged. He added that new cases are still being reported, underscoring the scale and persistence of the outbreak.
Dr Kirim, however, expressed cautious optimism that infection rates may decline with the onset of the rainy season, explaining that transmission of Lassa fever is typically higher during the dry season.
Meanwhile, the hospital management highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery through the introduction of structured service packs aimed at improving standardisation, efficiency, and safety. It noted that such systems are widely adopted in major tertiary institutions, including Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, and University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital.
The management emphasised that service packs play a critical role in infection prevention and control, ensuring the availability of sterile consumables and reducing the risk of disease transmission among patients and healthcare workers.
It also urged members of the public to make use of established communication channels, including the hospital’s SERVICOM Unit, for accurate information and prompt resolution of concerns, warning against misinformation that could heighten public anxiety.
The hospital reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining safety standards and managing the outbreak while safeguarding both patients and medical personnel.
FMC Jalingo Confirms 50 Deaths in Severe Lassa Fever Outbreak