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The Benue State Government has confirmed the death of 10 health workers following an outbreak of Lassa fever, with 45 cases testing positive out of 250 suspected infections recorded across the state.
The State Epidemiologist, Dr Msuega Asema, disclosed this on Friday during an assessment visit by the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Paul Ejeh-Ogwuche, to isolation centres at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital and the Federal Medical Centre in Makurdi.
Asema said the outbreak has severely affected frontline workers, including five medical doctors, four nurses, two community health extension workers and one hospital porter.
He described the rising infections among health personnel as alarming.
He stated that out of the 250 suspected cases reported so far, 45 have been confirmed, with 10 cumulative deaths among health workers.
Speaking during the visit, Ejeh-Ogwuche urged residents not to panic, noting that the government had declared a Lassa fever outbreak on February 3 and activated containment measures.
He attributed the high infection rate among health workers to human-to-human transmission and lapses in infection prevention protocols.
“We are here to assess the situation on the ground. The figures may look disturbing, but the government, under Governor Hyacinth Alia, is fully committed to containing the outbreak. Necessary resources are being mobilised to ensure swift containment,” he said.
The commissioner added that surveillance officers have been deployed across the 23 local government areas to strengthen monitoring, contact tracing and community engagement.
He appealed to residents to promptly report symptoms at designated health facilities to reduce fatalities.
At the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, the Chief Medical Director, Dr Stephen Hwande, said the hospital had intensified infection prevention measures.
He, however, called for urgent intervention to upgrade isolation centres with patient monitors, improved waste management systems and a functional emergency laboratory for on-site testing.
The Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee, Prof Michael Agbir, described the situation as unusual compared to previous years.
He revealed that between January and February 2026 alone, the hospital recorded 28 admissions, 17 confirmed cases and three deaths.
At the Federal Medical Centre, the Chief Medical Director, Prof Joseph Kontor, represented by Dr Uche Augustine Azuka, said inadequate power supply was affecting laboratory services and delaying test results.
He noted that the hospital’s molecular laboratory conducts tests for Lassa fever, COVID 19, cholera, hepatitis B and C, among others, but depends largely on unstable public electricity.
Kontor appealed to the state government for support with power supply, consumables and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), stressing that patients are being treated and discharged free of charge, placing financial pressure on the facility.
He also called for a clear funding policy on the management of Lassa fever cases and suggested a cost-sharing model to ensure sustainability.
The Coordinator of the isolation centre and Head of Clinical Services at FMC Apir, Dr Michael Odoh, disclosed that 10 patients are currently on admission, comprising eight confirmed and two suspected cases, including four health workers who are responding to treatment.
Odoh added that three doctors are in self-isolation and are also recovering.
