Plateau State officials have confirmed a Lassa fever outbreak affecting seven local government areas, with a total of 11 positive cases and four fatalities reported since December 2025. The state's Commissioner for Health, Dr. Nicholas Baamlong, provided insights at a press conference, detailing the response initiated after the first confirmed case was reported on December 20, 2025, in the Quanpan Local Government Area.

In response to this alert, health authorities swiftly activated their incident management team to conduct thorough investigations. Initial contact tracing identified 69 individuals, leading to 16 suspected cases, out of which five were subsequently confirmed positive for Lassa fever. This early intervention highlights the critical response strategy employed to mitigate the spread of the virus, reaffirming the importance of public health vigilance in combating such outbreaks.

The ongoing situation has raised significant alarm within health circles, given that Lassa fever can have serious health implications, especially if not addressed promptly. The fatalities across major hospitals in the state, which include a medical practitioner, emphasize the urgent need for comprehensive health measures and effective public awareness campaigns to educate the community about prevention and treatment options related to Lassa fever.