Fresh Lassa Fever outbreak claims doctor in Benue

A fresh outbreak of Lassa fever in Benue State has claimed the life of a medical doctor, prompting health authorities to activate emergency containment measures, including contact tracing and intensified surveillance.

The Benue State Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Paul Ogwuche, confirmed the development in Makurdi on Monday.

According to him, the deceased, who worked with the APIN Foundation in Konshisha Local Government Area, died after battling the disease for more than two weeks.

The commissioner disclosed that the doctor, who hailed from Kwande Local Government Area, was buried on June 20, 2026.

“There is a fresh case of Lassa fever in the state. One doctor died. The victim worked with APIN Foundation in Konshisha LGA but hailed from the Kwande axis,” Ogwuche said.

He explained that the doctor initially treated himself at home and later sought care at a private hospital before the possibility of Lassa fever was raised.

“For over two weeks, he struggled with the illness. When there was no improvement, one of his friends suggested that his symptoms were indicative of Lassa fever. A preliminary test was conducted and it returned positive,” he said.

Ogwuche revealed that health officials attempted to admit the doctor to the Benue State University Teaching Hospital for specialist treatment, but he initially preferred to continue treatment at home.

“When we wanted to admit him at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, he requested medication for home treatment, but we insisted that it would not work that way,” the commissioner said.

Further medical investigations later revealed that the doctor had developed kidney complications, necessitating his referral to Jos University Teaching Hospital, where he eventually died.

“His body was brought back from JUTH and buried on Saturday,” Ogwuche added.

The commissioner said there were currently no other confirmed Lassa fever patients receiving treatment in hospitals across the state.

“So far, there is no other person on admission in any hospital in the state. In fact, we were preparing to declare the outbreak over before this case emerged,” he said.

He assured residents that the state government had activated emergency response measures, including case management, contact tracing, heightened surveillance across health facilities and intensified public awareness campaigns.

“We have commenced case and contact tracing and intensified public sensitisation efforts to prevent further spread of the disease,” he said.

Ogwuche explained that the state had almost completed the mandatory 42-day monitoring period required before declaring the outbreak over, but the latest case had reset the timeline.

“We will now have to wait for another 42 days before we can consider declaring the outbreak over again,” he said.

The commissioner warned that although Lassa fever is traditionally regarded as a seasonal disease, it is increasingly becoming endemic in parts of the country, underscoring the need for continuous public education and preventive measures.