Benue shuts private hospital, mortuary as Lassa fever kills one

From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi

One person has been confirmed dead as a result of Lassa fever in Benue State, while over 50 other individuals are currently under surveillance in the Ogbadibo and Okpokwu local government areas of Benue State.

The Commissioner for Health and Human Services in the state, Dr Paul Ejeh-Ogwuche, disclosed this to newsmen in Makurdi on Thursday.

He said for the interest of public safety and containment, he has immediately sealed off a private hospital and mortuary where the corpse was deposited before being evacuated for burial on Wednesday, pending full decontamination, disinfection, and epidemiological investigation.

Ogwuche explained that a 54-year-old woman was brought from Ogbadibo local government area and she died on Sunday, October 25, 2025, at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi.

He said after a laboratory analysis was conducted on her, it was confirmed she died of Lassa fever.

He maintained that the State Government’s epidemic response efforts moved swiftly to ensure public safety, containment, and restoration of order after reports indicated that the corpse of a Lassa fever victim was forcefully taken away by community youths.

“I personally led a high-powered delegation of health officials and security operatives to Ogbadibo and Okpokwu LGAs following a confirmed case of Lassa fever and a serious breach of safe burial protocol.

“During initial response efforts, the Ministry’s Rapid Response Team was confronted by some agitated youths while trying to conduct a safe burial, and the body was subsequently taken to a private mortuary in Ugbokolo, Okpokwu LGA.

“Through intensive dialogue with the family, traditional rulers, and youth leaders, the body was successfully retrieved and safely buried in Orokam by the State Safe Burial Team, in line with WHO and NCDC protocols.

“Public health safety is our top priority. The government cannot allow any act that endangers the lives of our citizens. I commend the cooperation of the LG chairmen, traditional rulers, and security agencies who stood by us to ensure this situation was peacefully resolved.”

The Commissioner appealed to residents to avoid handling corpses of persons who die from suspected infectious diseases, and to report any prolonged fever or bleeding symptoms to the nearest health facility without delay, saying that Governor Hyacinth Alia is committed to protecting lives and maintaining vigilance against public health threats.