A senior doctor with the AIDS Prevention Initiative in Nigeria has tragically died of Lassa fever Benue, prompting renewed contact tracing and public health alerts in the state

A senior medical doctor working with the AIDS Prevention Initiative in Nigeria in Konshisha Local Government Area of Benue State has died from complications of Lassa fever, the Benue State Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Paul Ejeh-Ogwuche, confirmed in Makurdi on Monday, June 22, 2026.

Dr Ejeh-Ogwuche said the deceased, who hailed from Kwande Local Government Area, battled the illness for over two weeks before his condition deteriorated rapidly.

He was buried on Saturday, June 20, 2026, in accordance with Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention protocols.

The commissioner revealed that initial suspicion of Lassa fever arose after the doctor showed no improvement, leading to a positive test.

Despite efforts to admit him at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital in Makurdi, the physician opted for home management initially before being referred to the University of Jos Teaching Hospital in Plateau State, where he later passed away.

Initial investigations indicated the doctor had developed kidney complications.

“For over two weeks, he was struggling, and when there was no improvement, a friend suggested his condition was suggestive of Lassa fever,” Dr Ejeh-Ogwuche stated.

This latest fatality comes as Benue State was on the verge of declaring an end to a previous Lassa fever outbreak after completing the required 42-day monitoring period.

The new case has reset the timeline, requiring a fresh cycle of surveillance before any all-clear can be issued.

Health authorities have swiftly activated contact tracing, intensified public awareness campaigns and heightened surveillance across health facilities.

Dr Ejeh-Ogwuche assured that response measures have been reactivated while also monitoring other infectious disease threats, including potential Ebola risks.

Lassa fever, endemic in parts of West Africa, spreads primarily through contact with infected rodents or their droppings and can transmit between humans in healthcare settings.

This incident highlights the ongoing vulnerability of frontline health workers who continue to risk their lives in the fight against infectious diseases in Nigeria.

The development has underscored the need for sustained vigilance and improved healthcare infrastructure in rural areas of Benue State, where such outbreaks can have devastating effects on communities and medical personnel alike.