Health authorities say 11 cases have been confirmed since December 2025, with contact tracing and emergency response measures activated across affected areas.

An outbreak of Lassa fever affecting seven local government areas of Plateau State has been confirmed by state health authorities.

The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Nicholas Baamlong, disclosed this during a press briefing at the Ministry of Health in Jos, where he outlined the scale of the outbreak and the government’s response.

According to Baamlong, the outbreak has resulted in 11 confirmed cases and four deaths since December 2025. He explained that the outbreak was first detected after two initial confirmed cases prompted extensive contact tracing.

“We were first alerted on December 20, 2025, following a case from Quanpan Local Government Area, after which we immediately activated the Incident Management Team,” Baamlong said.

He added that about 69 contacts were traced, leading to 16 suspected cases, out of which five were later confirmed positive.

Reports indicate that the four fatalities were recorded across major health facilities in the state, including the Jos University Teaching Hospital, Plateau Specialist Hospital, and Bingham University Teaching Hospital.

Baamlong further revealed that one of the deceased was a medical practitioner who had attended to an infected patient. He also confirmed that another medical doctor is currently hospitalised and receiving treatment.

The affected local government areas are Quanpan, Shendam, Wase, Langtang South, Jos North, Jos South, and Mangu.

Residents have been urged to observe preventive measures, maintain proper hygiene, and seek immediate medical attention if symptoms such as fever, weakness, or bleeding occur.