Benue confirms 45 Lassa fever cases, 10 dead

The death toll from Lassa fever in Benue State has climbed to 10, as health authorities confirm 45 positive cases out of 250 suspected infections across the state.

The State Epidemiologist, Dr. Msuega Asema, disclosed the latest figures on Friday during a visit by the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Paul Ejeh-Ogwuche, to isolation centres at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital and the Federal Medical Centre, Apir, where patients are receiving treatment.

Asema described the situation as a “devastating outbreak,” noting that the 10 fatalities were recorded from the cumulative cases reported so far. He added that a significant number of health workers have been affected, including five medical doctors, four nurses, two community health extension workers and one hospital porter.

Earlier this month, the commissioner formally declared a Lassa fever outbreak in the state following a spike in suspected cases. On February 16, he had revealed that four health workers had died and over 60 cases were under suspicion.

Speaking during the assessment visit, Ejeh-Ogwuche acknowledged that the figures appeared alarming but urged residents not to panic. He attributed the spread largely to human-to-human transmission and lapses in infection prevention measures.

“We have come to assess the situation and see how we can further contain the outbreak. Though the data looks threatening, the state government under Governor Hyacinth Alia is fully committed to ensuring the disease is brought under control as quickly as possible,” he said.

The commissioner announced that surveillance officers have been deployed across all 23 local government areas to strengthen monitoring, contact tracing and community engagement. He emphasized the importance of early reporting of symptoms to designated health facilities to enable prompt diagnosis and treatment.

At the teaching hospital in Makurdi, the Chief Medical Director, Dr. Stephen Hwande, said the facility had intensified infection control measures and recorded 28 admissions between January and February 2026. Of these, 17 cases were confirmed positive and three patients died.

Similarly, the Chief Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre, Apir, Prof. Joseph Kontor, represented by Dr. Uche Augustine Azuka, highlighted operational challenges at the isolation centre. He noted that inadequate power supply has hindered timely laboratory testing, as the facility depends heavily on public electricity.

Kontor appealed to the state government for intervention, particularly in improving power supply, providing consumables and ensuring adequate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for staff. He added that patients are currently being treated and discharged free of charge.

Health officials have continued to commend frontline workers for their dedication, while extending condolences to families of those who lost their lives.