The Benue State Ministry of Health and Human Services has provided an update on the ongoing Lassa fever outbreak in the state. “As of March 6, 2026, the state has recorded a total of 315 suspected cases, out of which 52 have been laboratory-confirmed, with 10 deaths reported among the confirmed cases, representing a Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 19%”
The Honourable Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Paul Ogwuche, disclosed this on Saturday during a media briefing at the Emergency Operation Center of the Ministry in Makurdi, stating that although the number of confirmed cases has increased from 8 to 52 within the last four weeks, the significant reduction in the Case Fatality Rate from 37% to 19% during the same period is a strong indication that public health response measures are beginning to yield positive outcomes.
Recall that on February 3, 2026, the Benue State Ministry of Health and Human Services officially declared an outbreak of Lassa Fever in the state.
A major concern, according to Dr. Ogwuche, however, is the high number of infections among healthcare workers, with 14 cases reported, including six medical doctors, one pharmacist, four nurses, two Community Health Extension Workers, and one hospital porter.
“Two healthcare workers have lost their lives, highlighting the occupational risk faced by frontline workers,” he said.
He said the confirmed cases have been reported across four Local Government Areas: Makurdi, Guma, Buruku, and Okpokwu, noting that in response, the State Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC) has expanded its field response teams to intensify active case search, contact tracing, risk communication, community engagement, and public sensitization.
“In response to the rising numbers, the State Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC) has expanded its field response teams to intensify active case search, contact tracing, risk communication, community engagement, and public sensitization. These measures are critical in breaking the chain of transmission and preventing further spread within communities.”
The Commissioner disclosed that the state government has also strengthened collaboration with technical and development partners, including Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders), World Health Organization Country Office, UNICEF, and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, to ensure a more effective response.
Dr. Ogwuche urged residents to observe public health measures, including avoiding contact with rats and rodents, maintaining good environmental sanitation, storing food items in tightly covered containers, and seeking medical care immediately if symptoms such as persistent fever, weakness, headache, vomiting, sore throat, or bleeding from any part of the body are experienced.
He expressed gratitude to partners for their support and commended the commitment and leadership of the Executive Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, in addressing the funding gap in the Incident Action Plan and ensuring response activities continue without interruption, expressing confidence that with combined efforts, the epidemic curve will soon begin to flatten and gradually decline in the coming weeks.
In a remark, the State Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) focal person, Professor Audu Onyemocho, stated that the Ministry of Health and Human Services has established a holding center across the twenty-three (23) local governments in the state to track suspected cases and further referrals.
The Permanent Secretary, Cephas Hough, commended the media for the partnership and called for sustained efforts so that the people should be aware of the steps to take in order to avoid contracting the disease and spread it
