Tension gripped Lafia and Awe local government areas in Nasarawa State after six individuals, suspected of Lassa fever infection, escaped from the Federal University of Lafia Teaching Hospital Isolation Centre.
The patients had been brought to the facility by the State Ministry of Health’s response team after possible exposure to a person who had reportedly died from Lassa fever-related complications. The deceased woman’s husband had passed away nine days earlier, with symptoms initially suspected to be linked to the disease.
Upon admission, blood samples from the six suspects were collected and sent to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) reference laboratory in Abuja for testing. However, before the results—which could take up to three days—were returned, the patients fled, reportedly due to complaints about inadequate food. 
Peter Attah, Director of Public Health at the Ministry of Health, confirmed the incident but downplayed fears of disease spread, noting that all test results eventually returned negative.
“The ministry and hospital teams immediately tracked the escapees to a relative’s residence in Lafia, ensuring they did not come into contact with anyone,” Attah said. He clarified that the deceased woman was not confirmed to have Lassa fever, although two of her children were showing symptoms, which initially raised suspicion.
“On New Year’s Day, the patients complained about food, became violent, and left the facility. We traced them and ensured they didn’t interact with others. The lab results later came back negative,” he added.
Attah further confirmed that only one person—a pregnant woman from Awe LGA—had died from Lassa fever complications in the state. However, another ministry official told LEADERSHIP that three deaths were recorded during the outbreak, including the woman who died at the General Hospital in Awe and her husband, who passed away a week later with similar symptoms.
In response, the General Hospital in Awe was temporarily closed for fumigation to prevent further spread of the disease.
