Lassa fever surge claims 10 lives in Benue, 45 cases confirmed

2026-03-01 - 07:06

By Peter Duru Benue State is grappling with a severe outbreak of Lassa fever, with 45 confirmed cases and 10 cumulative deaths recorded out of 250 suspected infections across the state. Health authorities describe the situation as alarming, particularly as the virus spreads among frontline medical personnel. The State Epidemiologist, Dr. Msuega Asema, disclosed the figures during an assessment visit by the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Paul Ogwuche, to isolation centres at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital and the Federal Medical Centre Apir, where patients are currently receiving treatment. According to Asema, a disturbing number of health workers have been infected, including five medical doctors, four nurses, two community health extension workers and a hospital porter. He noted that the growing rate of infection among medical staff underscored serious concerns about infection prevention gaps. Speaking separately at both facilities, Ogwuche urged residents not to panic despite the rising figures. He emphasised that the state government officially declared a viral outbreak on February 3 and had since intensified containment measures. The Commissioner explained that the visit was aimed at assessing the situation firsthand, encouraging patients, and assuring them that the government stands firmly behind their recovery. He said authorities were determined to halt human-to-human transmission, which he described as a key driver of the outbreak. Ogwuche acknowledged that while the statistics may appear threatening, the administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia had mobilised all necessary resources to contain the disease swiftly. “Surveillance teams have been deployed to all 23 local government areas to strengthen contact tracing, community engagement and early detection efforts,” he said. He appealed to residents to promptly report symptoms such as fever, weakness, headache and bleeding at designated health facilities, stressing that early diagnosis and treatment remain critical in reducing fatalities associated with Lassa fever. The Commissioner commended healthcare workers for their dedication and sacrifice during the crisis and expressed sympathy to families who have lost loved ones, reaffirming the government’s commitment to protecting public health. At the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, the Chief Medical Director, Dr. Stephen Hwande, highlighted steps already taken to contain the outbreak. He called for urgent upgrades to isolation centres, including the provision of patient monitors, improved waste management systems and the establishment of a functional emergency laboratory for on-site testing. The Chairman of the hospital’s Medical Advisory Committee, Prof. Michael Agbir, described the current outbreak as unusual compared to previous years. “Between January and February 2026 alone, the hospital recorded 28 admissions, 17 confirmed cases and three deaths, reflecting a sharp rise in infections.” At the Federal Medical Centre Apir, Chief Medical Director Prof. Joseph Kontor, represented by Dr. Uche Azuka, explained that the hospital’s molecular laboratory handles diagnostic tests for COVID-19, Lassa fever, chickenpox, cholera, hepatitis B and C, among others. The Coordinator of the Isolation Centre and Head of Clinical Services at FMC Apir, Dr. Michael Odoh, revealed that 10 patients were on admission with eight confirmed and two suspected cases. He said: “Of the confirmed cases, four are health workers, including two nurses, one doctor and a porter, all responding well to treatment.”