Taraba Hospital Under Strain as Lassa Fever Fatalities Climb

Medical authorities in Taraba State are reporting increasing pressure on healthcare facilities as a surge in Lassa fever cases and deaths pushes one of the region’s major hospitals to its limits.

Officials say the isolation wards at the Federal Medical Centre in Jalingo are overwhelmed with patients infected by the Lassa virus, with the number of fatalities rising steadily alongside a growing number of confirmed infections nationwide. 

Health workers at the centre have described intense workloads and stretched resources as they care for those showing symptoms of the viral haemorrhagic fever, which typically spikes during the dry season. Meanwhile, front‑line staff themselves have been affected, further straining treatment capacity.

Public health experts warn that Lassa fever remains a persistent threat in Nigeria, with recent outbreak data indicating widespread transmission across multiple states and a high case fatality rate compared with previous years. Community hygiene measures, early reporting of symptoms, and improved infection control at hospitals are being emphasised as authorities work to slow the spread and save lives.