Health Commissioner: Benue Confirms One Lassa Fever Case, Intensifies Monitoring

From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi

The Benue State Government says it has recorded one laboratory-confirmed case of Lassa fever in the last one month, with no death reported during the period.

The Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Paul Ogwuche, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Makurdi on the state’s Lassa fever situation report for Epidemiological Week 27, covering June 28, 2026, to date.
According to the commissioner, although the peak transmission season has declined, the Ministry of Health and Human Services has sustained intensive disease surveillance and rapid response activities across the 23 local government areas to prevent any resurgence of the disease.
He explained that Lassa fever remains endemic in Nigeria, making it essential for the state to continue prioritising early detection, laboratory testing, effective case management, infection prevention and control, as well as continuous public awareness campaigns.
Ogwuche revealed that 45 suspected Lassa fever cases were investigated during the period under review, but laboratory analysis confirmed only one positive case, while the remaining samples tested negative.
He noted that no Lassa fever-related death was recorded, describing the outcome as evidence of the effectiveness of the state’s disease surveillance system, prompt response mechanism and improved clinical management.
The commissioner attributed the achievement to the commitment of Governor Hyacinth Alia’s administration, noting that the government has continued to invest in disease surveillance, emergency preparedness, healthcare delivery and strategic partnerships aimed at strengthening the state’s health system.
He said the government has sustained measures including continuous surveillance and prompt reporting of suspected cases, rapid laboratory confirmation, strengthened infection prevention and control practices in both public and private health facilities, regular training of healthcare workers, and public enlightenment on environmental sanitation, food hygiene and rodent control.
Ogwuche added that the ministry is collaborating closely with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), the World Health Organization (WHO) and other development partners to consolidate the gains recorded in the state’s response to Lassa fever.
He further disclosed that community engagement has been intensified through traditional rulers, religious leaders, community volunteers and the media to promote preventive practices, encourage early health-seeking behaviour and improve public awareness on Lassa fever prevention.
The commissioner reassured residents of the government’s commitment to protecting lives through sustained investments in disease prevention, surveillance, emergency preparedness and rapid response systems.
He urged members of the public to maintain proper environmental sanitation, store food safely to prevent contamination by rodents, avoid contact with rodents and their droppings, and promptly visit the nearest health facility if they experience symptoms such as persistent fever, weakness, sore throat, vomiting or unexplained bleeding.
Ogwuche stressed that early diagnosis and prompt treatment remain the most effective means of improving survival and preventing the spread of Lassa fever.