Bauchi Sees 68 Deaths from Lassa Fever in Six Months – MSF

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has disclosed that Bauchi State witnessed 68 deaths and recorded 311 confirmed cases of Lassa fever between October 1, 2025, and March 23, 2026.

Since 2022, MSF has been aiding treatment efforts at the Lassa Fever Centre, which includes offering diagnostics, medications, and mental health support to affected individuals.

MSF's outreach teams are also active in Bauchi, Kirfi, Toro, and Tafawa Balewa local government areas, concentrating on the early detection and referral of cases, as well as patient isolation.

Abdulkareem Yakubu, an official from MSF, highlighted that the organization is also focused on training health workers and combating misinformation regarding the disease.

Dr. Ayokunnu Raji, the Emergency Programme Manager, pointed out that the symptoms of Lassa fever often resemble those of malaria, which can lead to delays in seeking treatment.

MSF noted that the transmission of Lassa fever typically occurs through contaminated food or contact with bodily fluids from infected individuals. While many cases are mild, severe infections can lead to death.

In a broader context, Nigeria has reported a total of 516 cases and 135 deaths related to Lassa fever in the current year, indicating a 31% rise compared to the previous year. MSF is currently responding to outbreaks in six states and plans to develop the Bauchi centre into a training hub for healthcare professionals.