Bauchi State Reports 68 Lassa Fever Deaths in Six Months

Bauchi State has reported 68 deaths and 311 confirmed cases of Lassa fever from October 1, 2025, to March 23, 2026, according to Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). The organization is supporting treatment at the Lassa fever center and providing diagnostic, medical, and mental health care.

MSF's outreach teams are active in Bauchi, Kirfi, Toro, and Tafawa Balewa Local Government Areas, focusing on early detection, isolation, and referral of cases. Abdulkareem Yakubu, an MSF official, emphasized the importance of training health workers to address misinformation about the disease.

Dr. Ayokunnu Raji noted that symptoms of Lassa fever often mimic those of malaria, which can delay treatment. Nationwide, Nigeria has recorded 516 cases and 135 deaths this year, marking a 31% increase.

MSF plans to upgrade the Bauchi center and train it as a hub for responding to the outbreak across six states.