The Taraba State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Gbangsheya Buma, has officially declared the outbreak of Lassa Fever in the state.
According to Dr. Buma, nine suspected cases were reported at the Federal Medical Center, FMC, Jalingo, with eight individuals testing positive for the viral hemorrhagic fever. He assured residents that the State Ministry of Health is closely monitoring the situation and is fully prepared to handle any challenges that may arise.
Dr. Buma emphasized that while the outbreak is not unexpected given the season, the ministry has taken proactive measures to address it. He mentioned receiving support from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), which has dispatched a team to provide technical assistance in containing the spread of the disease.
Furthermore, Dr. Buma stated that the state government has collaborated with FMC Jalingo to offer free treatment to Lassa fever patients. He confirmed that eight out of nine blood samples collected from suspected cases at FMC Jalingo have tested positive for Lassa fever.
Joseph Kuni, the acting Head of Clinical Services at FMC Jalingo, also provided insights into the situation, mentioning that one of the hospital staff, a medical doctor, was affected by the virus but has since received treatment and been discharged.
