Benue Doctor Dies of Lassa Fever as State Records Fresh Outbreak

The Benue State Government has confirmed a fresh outbreak of Lassa fever following the death of a medical doctor who contracted the viral disease, raising concerns among health authorities and residents across the state.

The Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Yanmar Ortese Ogwuche, disclosed the development while providing an update on the state’s disease surveillance and response activities.

According to the commissioner, the deceased doctor initially presented symptoms associated with Lassa fever and was receiving medical attention before his condition deteriorated.

Ogwuche explained that preliminary investigations also revealed that the doctor had underlying kidney-related complications, which may have worsened his health condition.

He said the patient was subsequently referred to the University of Jos Teaching Hospital in Plateau State for advanced medical care.

Despite efforts by health professionals to stabilise him, the doctor later died while receiving treatment at the facility.

“As a result, we referred him to the University of Jos Teaching Hospital in Plateau State, where he later died. His remains were brought back and buried in line with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention burial protocols on Saturday,” Ogwuche stated.

The commissioner said the development has triggered renewed public health measures aimed at preventing further spread of the disease.

He noted that the state government had intensified public sensitisation campaigns, strengthened surveillance systems and activated emergency response structures across affected communities and health facilities.

According to him, health workers and relevant agencies have been placed on heightened alert following the fresh outbreak and recent updates on other infectious disease threats within the country.

“We have been doing sensitisation, checking our facilities, and heightening surveillance. In this case, we have also commenced case investigation and contact tracing,” he said.

Ogwuche explained that Benue State had been close to declaring the outbreak over after successfully completing a 42-day monitoring period, which corresponds with the incubation cycle used in tracking infectious disease outbreaks.

However, the emergence of the new case means the state must begin a fresh monitoring period before any declaration of containment can be made.

Health authorities have urged residents to maintain proper hygiene, avoid contact with rodents and report symptoms such as fever, weakness, headache and bleeding to the nearest health facility.

The government reiterated its commitment to containing the outbreak and protecting residents from further infections.