Lassa Fever: WHO Confirms 3 Deaths In Taraba

The World Health Organisation (WHO) yesterday confirmed that three persons died of Lassa fever in Taraba State.

A WHO Surveillance Officer, Dr. Bello Ahmed, disclosed this at a sensitisation workshop on Lassa fever in Jalingo, the state capital. The workshop was organised by the Ministry of Health.


Represented by Dr. Zeto Philip, the officer said 12 cases had been reported, three confirmed dead and three positive cases placed under close monitoring.

Bello, who said six local governments –Bali, Ibi, Gassol, Gashaka, Jalingo and Ardo-Kola – had been placed under red alert, explained that two deaths were recorded in Jalingo and one in Ardo-Kola, putting the state at 25 per cent infection rate.


The WHO representative explained that the survey was conducted between January 1 and January 28, with 367 contacts identified across the country.