Lassa fever outbreak: Benue State records 9 deaths, 47 confirmed cases
In Benue State, the ongoing Lassa fever outbreak has resulted in 9 fatalities, with 46 confirmed cases spanning seven local government areas. Among those affected are five health workers and four Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), raising concerns about the spread of the disease.
State Commissioner of Health and Human Services, Dr. Yanmar Ortese, expressed his worries, emphasizing the severity of the situation. Currently in Abuja, he is in discussions with the Director General of the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to address the escalating crisis.
The State Epidemiologist, Dr. Sam Ngishe, reported that the first case surfaced in week 50 of the previous year.
The outbreak has now reached alarming levels, affecting areas such as Obi, Okpokwu, Gwer West, Makurdi, Guma, Gwer East, and Ukum. The death toll has climbed to nine, prompting strict adherence to safe burial protocols across the state.
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Ngishe credited the sustained response to the intervention of the Federal Government, World Bank, and NCDC. This support has bolstered Benue’s surveillance efforts, community risk communication, and laboratory response coordination in combating the Lassa fever outbreak.
The gravity of the situation underscores the need for swift and effective measures to contain the spread of the disease.
