Lassa Fever Kills 50 In Taraba

The Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jalingo, Taraba State, has confirmed the death of 50 patients from Lassa fever.

The Head of Clinical Services at the hospital, Dr. Suleiman Abubakar Kirim, disclosed this in an interview with Daily Trust.

He described the development as the most severe outbreak the centre has witnessed in recent times.

According to him, a total of 226 suspected cases were admitted at the facility, out of which 95 were laboratory-confirmed.

Of the confirmed cases, 50 patients died, while 20 others have been successfully treated and discharged.

Dr. Kirim added that new cases were still being reported, noting that the current situation represents the highest number of suspected cases and fatalities recorded by the centre in recent years.

He, however, expressed optimism that the rate of infection would decline with the onset of the rainy season, explaining that Lassa fever transmission is typically higher during the dry season.

Meanwhile, the hospital management said recently introduced service packs are aimed at ensuring standardisation, efficiency, safety, and accountability in healthcare delivery.

The management emphasised that, in the context of recurring infectious disease outbreaks such as Lassa fever, the importance of controlled and structured healthcare systems cannot be overstated.

It noted that the service pack system is not unique to FMC Jalingo but is a standard practice in leading tertiary institutions across Nigeria, including Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, and University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital.

Similar systems, it added, are also used in advanced health systems in countries such as Ghana, the United States, India, and South Africa.

According to the management, service packs play a critical role in infection prevention and control by ensuring the availability of sterile and properly structured consumables.

“The absence of properly structured and sterile consumables, or reliance on repeatedly handled materials, increases the risk of transmission to healthcare workers and other patients, with potentially severe public health consequences. Service packs therefore serve as a frontline safeguard for both patients and medical personnel,” the statement said.

The hospital further highlighted the existence of established public interface channels, including the SERVICOM Unit, which is mandated to provide information, receive complaints, and facilitate prompt resolution of issues.

“It is expected that individuals seeking clarification on technical healthcare issues will utilise these institutional channels before drawing conclusions, particularly where such commentary could create public anxiety or erode confidence in essential health services,” the management added.(daily trust)