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From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
Benue State Government has revealed that the state is currently facing devastating outbreak of Lassa Fever, with 45 cases confirmed positive and 10 cumulative deaths.
The State Epidemiologist, Dr. Msuega Asema, disclosed this when the state Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Paul Ogwuche visited the isolation centres at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH), Makurdi and Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Apir, where the affected victims are currently receiving treatments.
Dr. Asema explained that five medical doctors, four nurses, two community extension workers and one hospital porter were among the victims. He lamented the growing Lassa infection amongst health workers in the state.
Speaking at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital and Federal Medical Centre Apir respectively, Dr. Ogwuche enjoined the people not to be threatened by the figures. He assured that the state government is intensifying efforts to contain the spread of the disease.
Ogwuche said he, along with other critical stakeholders in the ministry, were at the facilities show their solidarity to those on admission in those facilities and to let them know that they are not alone, and that the state government is doing everything possible to see that they recover speedily and get back to their respective homes.
“We have also come here to assess the situation on ground. So far, five doctors and other health workers are involved in this infection. This is human to human transmission and the gap is infectious-prevention lapses. So, we have come to see how the centres are doing and how we can move ahead so that we contain the outbreak of Lassa fever quickly in our state.
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“Yes, the data has come up, it looks threatening but I want to say that the state government under Governor Hyacinth Alia is fully committed and doing all its best to ensure that this condition is contained as soon as possible.
He announced that already, the ministry had deployed its surveillance officers across the 23 LGAs of the state to strengthen monitoring, contact tracing, and render community engagement towards curbing further spread of the virus and appealed to individuals to immediately report symptoms at designated health facilities for early diagnosis and treatment.
Ogwuche commended the health workers for their dedication and sacrifice and sympathized with the families of those who lost their lives, assuring them of government commitment.
Earlier, the Chief Medical Director of BSUTH Makurdi, Dr. Stephen Hwande, while giving an update on measures taken to contain the outbreak, commended the commissioner for the visit, stating that the hospital had put adequate measures in place to contain the disease and enjoined residents to strictly adhere to infection prevention protocols.
The Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee of the hospital, Prof. Michael Agbir, lamented that the situation has become unusual compared to previous years, revealing that between January and February 2026, the hospital recorded 28 admissions, with 17 confirmed cases on admission and three deaths
On his part, while conducting the honourable commissioner and his entourage.
