Mirian Gom 
JOS, Nigeria – Plateau State authorities confirm an outbreak of Lassa fever across seven local government areas, reporting 11 confirmed cases and four deaths since December 2025.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Nicholas Baamlong, discloses this at a press briefing in Jos on Saturday, saying the state activates its emergency response immediately after the first alert from Quanpan Local Government Area on 20 December.
“We traced 69 contacts initially, identified 16 suspected cases, and confirmed five positives,” Baamlong says. “As of today, we have confirmed 11 cases statewide.”
Among the fatalities is Dr Salome Oboyi, a senior resident doctor who contracts the virus while attending to an infected patient at Bingham University Teaching Hospital. Another medical doctor remains hospitalised and is receiving treatment.
According to Baamlong, 109 contacts are currently under surveillance, while rapid response teams conduct active case searches in affected communities.
The outbreak affects Quanpan, Shendam, Wase, Langtang South, Jos North, Jos South, and Mangu.
The commissioner says public awareness remains critical to containing the disease. “We are intensifying health education to suppress transmission,” he states.
He assures residents that treatment drugs and personal protective equipment are available at designated facilities, including Jos University Teaching Hospital and Plateau Specialist Hospital.
Residents are urged to seek immediate medical attention at the onset of symptoms, as authorities stress that containing the outbreak requires collective responsibility.
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