Benue State is battling a significant outbreak of Lassa fever, with 45 confirmed cases and 10 cumulative deaths recorded from 250 suspected infections across the state. Health authorities describe the situation as alarming, particularly due to the spread of the virus among frontline medical personnel.
The State Epidemiologist, Dr. Msuega Asema, disclosed the figures during an inspection 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 receiving treatment.
According to Asema, several healthcare workers have been infected, including five doctors, four nurses, two community health extension workers, and a hospital porter. He noted that the rising infection rate among medical staff highlights serious gaps in infection prevention and control measures.
Speaking at the facilities, Ogwuche urged residents not to panic, stating that the state government officially declared a viral outbreak on February 3 and has since intensified containment efforts. He explained that surveillance teams have been deployed to all 23 local government areas to strengthen contact tracing, community engagement, and early detection.
Ogwuche said the administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia has mobilised necessary resources to curb human-to-human transmission, which he described as a major driver of the outbreak. He advised residents to promptly report symptoms such as fever, weakness, headache, and bleeding at designated health facilities, stressing that early diagnosis significantly reduces fatalities.
At the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Chief Medical Director Dr. Stephen Hwande called for urgent upgrades to isolation centres, including improved waste management systems, patient monitoring equipment, and an emergency laboratory for on-site testing. Prof. Michael Agbir, Chairman of the hospital’s Medical Advisory Committee, described the outbreak as unusually severe, noting 28 admissions, 17 confirmed cases, and three deaths between January and February 2026 alone.
At FMC Apir, hospital officials confirmed that 10 patients are currently on admission, with eight confirmed cases, including four health workers who are reportedly responding to treatment.
