The Benue State Government has confirmed that 10 health workers in the state have lost their lives due to Lassa Fever outbreak.
Another 45 persons have been confirmed to be down with the virus, the government said, adding that the numbers released are out of the total number of 250 suspected cases of Lassa Fever in the state.
Due to the outbreak of the virus, the State Ministry of Health and Human Services, has despatched Surveillance Officers to all the 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state, as part of measures to strengthen monitoring, contact tracing, and render community engagement towards curbing the further spread of the virus.
The Ministry has appealed to individuals to immediately report symptoms of Lassa Fever to designated health facilities for early diagnosis and treatment, emphasising that early intervention remains critical in reducing fatalities associated with Lassa fever.
Announcing the disturbing numbers to the State Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Paul Ogwuche, the
State Epidemiologist, Dr. Msuega Asema, said that it is more worrisome that the numbers involve a huge number of health workers in the state.
He further told the commissioner, who was on an on-the-spot assessment visit to isolation centres at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH), Makurdi and Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Apir, noted that five medical doctors, four nurses, two community extension workers and one hospital porter were among those that have been confirm to have contacted the virus.
Lamenting the growing concern of Lassa Fever infection amongst health workers in the state, Dr Asema, noted that the affected persons have already been placed on isolation and were
currently receiving treatments.
Speaking during the visit to the facilities, Dr. Paul Ogwuche enjoined the people of the state, not to feel threatened by the figures as government has intensified efforts to contain the spread of the virus, since the outbreak of the disease in the state.
He said, “We have 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.
“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. We have activated all the necessary measures to bring containment as soon as possible. The state government is committed and ready as all necessary resources are to be mobilised to contain the disease”, Ogwuche stressed.
He,however, maintained that, he among other critical stakeholders of the ministry have come to show their solidarity to those on admission in those facilities and let them know that they are not alone, and that the state government was fully behind them and doing everything possible to see that they recover speedily and get back to their respective homes.
Ogwuche commended the health workers for their dedication and sacrifice. He also symphatised with the families of those who lost their lives to the virus, just as he assured that government was fully committee to containing the outbreak.
Earlier, the Chief Medical Director (CMD), BSUTH, Makurdi, Dr. Stephen Hwande, who updated the commissioner on measures taken to contain the outbreak, commended Dr Ogwuche for the visit, noting that BSUTH has put in place favourable measures to contain the Fever and enjoined residents to adhere strictly to infection prevention protocols.
He also advised that there was immediate need for intervention to upgrade the isolation centres in the state with patient monitors, improved waste management systems, and other essential equipment, including setting up a functional emergency laboratory within the centre for on-site testing.
The Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee of the hospital, Prof. Michael Agbir, lamented that the situation was unusual compared to previous years, pointing out that between January and February, 2026, the hospital recorded 28 admissions, with 17 confirmed cases on admission and three deaths
The CMD, Federal Medical Center (FMC), Apir, Prof Joseph Kontor, lamented that inadequate power supply has continue has been a major impediment to effective service delivery at the isolation centre.
Represented by Dr. Uche Augustine Azuka, who conducted the health commissioner round the Isolation Center and the Molecular Laboratory, where all the Lassa fever tests are being carried out at the facility, Part Kontor, explained that the lab has been providing diagnosis for COVID, Lassa Fever, chicken pox, cholera and hepatitis B, C and other molecular tests.
He further observed that since the hospital rely on public power supply, it has become practically impossible for the hospital to conduct test at regular times and obtain results as at when due and appealed to the state government to intervene in that regard.
He further urged the state government to assist the hospital with consumables and provision of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), hence patients are being treated and discharged free of charge.
He said:”The issue of Lassa Fever outbreak is something that affects everyone of us. When it was first reported and when the isolation centre at the teaching hospital was shutdown, almost all our patients were be referred to Keffi in Nasarawa State. So, we thought it wise to activate this centre here. But the treatment of these patients is putting a lot of financial burden on us.
“I learnt that in other states there is a form of cost sharing where the state government pays 60% and patient pays 40%. Sustainability without fund is a big challenge. The fund either comes from government or the patients. Before we were providing everything but it has become impossible to that that. There should be a clear policy of people be manage at isolation centre. If government is making it 100% free it should come out clearly and if it is saying that patients should handle part of bills, then let it say it clearly. FMC, Makurdi needs support of the state government.”
The coordinator of the Isolation Center and Head of Clinical Services, FMC, Dr. Michael Odoh, disclosed that 10 patients are currently at the facility out of which, two are suspected cases, while eight are confirmed cases. Out of the confirmed cases, four are health workers, two nurses, one doctor and a porter who are all doing well.
