Benue on alert as Lassa fever kills woman, 50 under watch

Benue health officials trace 50 contacts after a woman dies of Lassa fever, prompting surveillance and decontamination in Ogbadibo and Okpokwu LGAs

The Benue State Government has placed about 50 people under surveillance following the death of a 54-year-old woman from Lassa fever, sparking renewed concern across Ogbadibo and neighbouring Okpokwu Local Government Areas.

Also read: Lassa fever death toll in Nigeria rises to 172 – NCDC

Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Paul Ogwuche, confirmed on Thursday that health authorities had identified and begun monitoring all persons who had contact with the deceased before and after her death.

The woman, who hailed from Ogbadibo LGA, died on Sunday at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, where tests confirmed she had contracted Lassa fever.

According to reports, her remains were taken to a private morgue in Ugbokolo, Okpokwu LGA. However, panic ensued when youths from her community reportedly forcibly retrieved the body during burial preparations a development that prompted swift government intervention.

Speaking to journalists, Dr Ogwuche said he personally led a high-powered delegation of health officials and security operatives to both LGAs to ensure containment and public safety.

“During initial response efforts, the ministry’s Rapid Response Team was confronted by some agitated youths while trying to conduct a safe burial,” the commissioner explained.

He said that after intense dialogue with the family, traditional rulers, and youth leaders, the body was retrieved and safely buried in Orokam in accordance with World Health Organisation (WHO) and Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) guidelines.

Following the burial, the commissioner ordered the immediate closure of the private hospital and morgue where the corpse had been kept, pending full decontamination and an epidemiological investigation.

He further directed that all medical staff and close contacts be placed under strict observation to prevent secondary infections.

“About 50 contacts have been identified and are under surveillance,” Dr Ogwuche confirmed, adding that health education and awareness sessions had been conducted across affected communities to promote hygiene and calm public anxiety.

The commissioner praised the cooperation of local government chairmen, traditional leaders, and security agencies, stressing that the government would not tolerate actions that endanger public health.

He urged residents to avoid handling corpses of people who die from suspected infectious diseases and to promptly report any fever or bleeding symptoms to nearby health facilities.

Lassa fever remains a recurring health concern in Benue. In September, the state epidemiologist, Dr Asema Msuega, reported 243 suspected cases since January 2025, with 13 deaths, including that of a health worker.

Of these, 18 cases were confirmed by laboratory analysis. “Five of the deaths were from confirmed cases, while eight were classified as probable,”

Dr Msuega said, noting that probable cases refer to suspected infections where samples were not collected before death.

Also read: Lassa fever in Nigeria declines but deaths remain high

Health authorities have reaffirmed their commitment to curbing the spread of Lassa fever, assuring residents that surveillance and response systems are being strengthened across the state.

Quadri Olaitan