Borno State Declares End to Lassa Fever Outbreak

Following concerted partners’ response, led by the World Health Organization, the Honorable Commissioner for Health, Dr. Salisu Aliyu Kwaya-bura has declared an end of Lassa fever outbreak in Borno state.

The current outbreak, which was the second in almost five decades, was isolated from a 30-year old man from Garba Buzu settlement in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council on 23 January 2020.

With the technical guidance of WHO, a team comprising of the Commissioner of Health as Chairman, the chief Medical Director of the Hospitals Management Board, an infection prevention group at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, UNICEF and among others initiated response activities including robust surveillance, contact tracing, risk communication and case management as soon as the index case was reported.

As of 25th February 2020, 21 cases were reported including 3 confirmed cases with 2 deaths from 9 local government areas. These are Jere, MMC, Gwoza, Munguno, Bayo, Mafa, Biu, Chibok and Askira Uba LGAs. Since then, no new cases of Lassa fever were isolated from any part of Borno state.
Although, the outbreak of Lassa fever has been declared over in Borno state, surveillance and risk communication continue to ensure that no suspected cases are missed and that the public protects themselves. “WHO will not lower its surveillance guard and risk communication on Lassa fever despite that the outbreak has been declared closed,” says WHO Emergency Manager, Dr. Collins Owili.