Benue confirms deadly lassa fever outbreak, 10 dead

Benue lassa fever outbreak leaves 10 dead and 45 confirmed cases as authorities deploy surveillance teams to contain spread

The Benue State Government has confirmed a deadly Benue Lassa Fever Outbreak with 45 positive cases and 10 cumulative deaths recorded across the state, raising serious public health concerns.

Also read: NCDC confirms deadly lassa fever outbreak in Nigeria

The State Epidemiologist, Msuega Asema, disclosed the figures during an inspection visit by the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Paul Ogwuche, to isolation centres at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital and the Federal Medical Centre Apir, where affected patients are receiving treatment.

Msuega Asema revealed that healthcare workers were significantly affected, including five medical doctors, four nurses, two community health extension workers and a hospital porter.

He expressed concern over increasing infections among frontline personnel, attributing the trend largely to lapses in infection prevention measures and human-to-human transmission.

Speaking during the visit, Paul Ogwuche urged residents not to panic despite the rising figures, assuring that the state government had intensified containment efforts under the leadership of Governor Hyacinth Alia.

The commissioner explained that surveillance officers had already been deployed across all 23 local government areas to strengthen monitoring, contact tracing and community engagement aimed at curbing further spread of the virus.

Paul Ogwuche said the visit was also intended to demonstrate government solidarity with patients receiving treatment and health workers managing the outbreak under challenging conditions.

Health authorities confirmed that residents experiencing symptoms consistent with Lassa fever had been advised to report immediately to designated health facilities for early diagnosis and treatment, describing prompt reporting as critical to survival and outbreak control.

Earlier, Chief Medical Director of the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Stephen Hwande, stated that the hospital had activated reinforced infection control protocols to manage admissions and prevent wider transmission.

Chairman of the hospital’s Medical Advisory Committee, Michael Agbir, noted that the current situation appeared unusually severe compared with previous years, disclosing that between January and February 2026 alone, the facility recorded 28 admissions, 17 confirmed cases and three deaths.

Also read: NCDC warns as Lassa fever deaths rise sharply in Nigeria

Officials say the Benue Lassa Fever Outbreak has prompted heightened emergency response measures as authorities race to contain the spread and protect both communities and healthcare workers from further infections.

Quadri Olaitan