Lassa Fever: Benue Government Confirms One Death, Shuts Down Private Hospital and Mortuary …50 Others Placed Under Surveillance

By Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi

The Benue State Government has confirmed the death of one person from Lassa fever and placed over 50 others under surveillance in Ogbadibo and Okpokwu Local Government Areas to prevent possible secondary infections.

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

He said that, in the interest of public safety and containment, the government has sealed off a private hospital and mortuary where the corpse was kept before being taken for burial on Wednesday. The facilities will remain closed pending full decontamination, disinfection, and epidemiological investigation.

According to Dr. Ogwuche, the deceased, a 54-year-old woman from Ogbadibo LGA, died on Sunday, October 25, 2025, at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi. Laboratory results later confirmed Lassa fever as the cause of death.

He explained that the government’s epidemic response team acted swiftly to ensure containment and restore order after reports emerged that the victim’s body had been forcefully removed from the hospital by community youths.

“I personally led a high-powered delegation of health officials and security personnel to Ogbadibo and Okpokwu LGAs following a confirmed case of Lassa fever and a serious breach of safe burial protocols,” he said.

“During the initial response, our Rapid Response Team encountered resistance from some agitated youths who prevented a safe burial and moved the corpse to a private mortuary in Ugbokolo, Okpokwu LGA.

“However, through sustained dialogue with the family, traditional rulers, and youth leaders, the body was eventually retrieved and safely buried in Orokam by the State Safe Burial Team in line with WHO and NCDC protocols.”

Dr. Ogwuche stressed that public health safety remains the government’s top priority, warning that no act endangering citizens’ lives will be tolerated. He commended the cooperation of local government chairmen, traditional rulers, and security agencies in resolving the situation peacefully.

He further appealed to residents to avoid handling corpses of persons suspected to have died from infectious diseases and to promptly report any prolonged fever or bleeding symptoms to the nearest health facility.

Dr. Ogwuche assured that Governor Hyacinth Alia remains committed to protecting lives and maintaining vigilance against public health threats across the state.