Benue Records 382 Suspected Cumulative Cases Of Lassa Fever, Confirms 47, Says No Fresh Mortality

From Dooshima Terkura Makurdi

The Benue State Government has stated that it recorded 382 suspected cases of Lassa fever, with 47 cases confirmed positive cumulatively.

The State Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Paul Ogwuche, disclosed this while speaking with journalists in Makurdi, noting that despite the increase in suspected cases, no deaths have been recorded from the disease in the past one week.
He explained that laboratory tests conducted over the last 11 days showed that only six cases were confirmed positive out of the reported cases.
Ogwuche further stated that the total number of confirmed cases among health workers remains 14, with two fatalities recorded since the outbreak of the disease in the state.
He also noted that 20 patients are currently in isolation centres, with 14 at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH) and six at the Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi.
“We have not recorded any mortality in the last 11 days. So far, the cumulative figure of suspected cases has risen from 251 to 382, while 47 cases have been confirmed cumulatively,” he said.
Dr. Ogwuche attributed the recent improvement to extensive sensitisation and public health education, as well as support from partners such as Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
According to him, “The rate has dropped drastically because we are actively combing for suspected cases. Those testing positive are fewer compared to before. We have engaged in regular meetings with WHO and NCDC, as well as the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC).
“Surveillance is ongoing in all 23 local government areas. We provide regular updates and conduct training for health workers on basic prevention and infection control in isolation centres, which has helped reduce infections among them. There are 14 cases in BSUTH and six at FMC, Makurdi, currently in isolation.
“The strategies we have put in place, particularly sensitisation and health education, have contributed significantly to this progress. People are now more aware of what to do and what to avoid.
“Our message has reached all 23 LGAs. We are also detecting cases earlier because surveillance officers are now active in the field. For every confirmed case, all contacts are monitored, and anyone showing symptoms is tested and taken to an isolation centre.
“The earlier a patient presents, the better the outcome. The low mortality rate indicates that people are being identified early in their communities and brought in promptly for treatment.
“There has also been significant support from our partners. NCDC, MSF, and WHO are all on ground working together to contain the outbreak. The key response pillars—especially infection prevention and control—are in place, and all our laboratories are functional, enabling early detection and prompt treatment.
“The state government has supported the response with funding, which has enabled us to operate effectively. Everyone involved is working diligently. We have not recorded any outbreak in the IDP camps, and we are on the verge of distributing IEC materials (flyers) to the 15 IDP camps in the state.”