In a concerning development, Benue State has witnessed nine fatalities from Lassa fever over the past two months, as revealed by State Epidemiologist, Dr. Sam Ngishe, in a telephone briefing with journalists on Thursday.
This announcement follows recent data from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), indicating a total of 2,621 suspected cases of Lassa fever nationwide, resulting in 84 deaths and a case fatality rate of 18.6 percent.
Dr. Ngishe highlighted that 46 individuals, including healthcare workers and internally displaced persons, have been affected by the disease across Benue State. Notably, four cases emerged among internally displaced persons at the Ortese IDP camp in Guma Local Government Area.
The outbreak has spread to seven out of the state’s 23 local government areas, with affected regions including Obi, Okpokwu, Gwer West, Makurdi, Guma, Gwer East, and Ukum.
Dr. Ngishe emphasized, “Nine deaths in confirmed cases, and they have been buried in accordance with safe burial protocols across the various areas of the state where they hail from.”
As authorities work to contain the spread of Lassa fever, heightened surveillance and public health measures are imperative to safeguarding communities against further transmission of the disease.
