Friday, February 6, 2026 - The Plateau State Government has confirmed the d3ath of a medical doctor and three others from Lassa Fever.
The viral fever claimed the life of Salome Oboyi, a senior
medical doctor at the Bingham University Teaching Hospital (BUTH) in Jos.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Nicholas Baamlong,
confirmed an outbreak of Lassa fever to Channels Television on Wednesday,
February 4, 2026.
Baamlong stated that three other victims succumbed to the
disease, saying the state recorded three laboratory-confirmed cases.
"The state government has activated all necessary
response mechanisms to contain the outbreak,” Baamlong said.
According to him, emergency response measures have been
activated to contain the spread of the viral disease and protect residents.
The deceased doctor reportedly contracted the virus after
performing a caesarean section on an infected patient, underscoring the risks
faced by frontline health workers.
BUTH is one of the designated treatment centres for Lassa
fever in the state.
Baamlong further noted that the state government had
intensified surveillance and response activities following laboratory
confirmation of the cases.
Plateau State has recorded confirmed cases of Lassa fever.
So far, we have eight laboratory-confirmed cases and three deaths.
"The state government has activated all necessary
response mechanisms to contain the outbreak,” Baamlong said.
He added that contact tracing, active surveillance, and
public health interventions were ongoing across affected communities and health
facilities.
The Chief Medical Director of Bingham University Teaching
Hospital, Dr. Stephen Anzaku, expressed deep regret over the death of the
doctor, describing it as a painful loss to the medical community.
"It is with deep regret that we lost a senior doctor to
Lassa fever. Despite being a designated treatment centre and observing
established safety protocols, the virus remains highly dangerous, particularly
for healthcare workers,” Anzaku said.
Baamlong also disclosed that the state had received
vaccines, with additional supplies expected from the Nigeria Centre for Disease
Control (NCDC) to strengthen response efforts
"We have intensified contact tracing and surveillance
across the state. Vaccines have been provided, and we are expecting more from
the NCDC. Residents should remain calm but vigilant,” the commissioner added.
National figures from the NCDC show that Nigeria recorded 39
confirmed Lassa fever cases and 17 deaths within the first three weeks of 2026,
as the disease continues to spread across several states during the dry season
Health authorities in Plateau State are urging residents to
adopt preventive measures, including maintaining proper hygiene, keeping food
and household items away from rodents, and seeking early medical attention when
symptoms such as persistent fever, headache, or vomiting occur.
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