The Benue State Government has announced that four health workers have lost their lives following the ongoing Lassa fever outbreak, as the number of suspected cases continues to increase across the state.
The State Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Paul Ogwuche, made the disclosure on Monday during a media briefing on the current health situation.
Ogwuche recalled that the state officially declared an outbreak several weeks ago after recording 53 suspected cases and three fatalities.
He added that recent data from the ministry’s disease surveillance platform now indicates more than 60 suspected cases, with 11 confirmed infections.
“The record from the ministry dashboard as of today indicates that there are over 60 suspected cases of Lassa fever in the state, while 11 cases have been confirmed, out of which four health workers died and three patients are on admission,” he said.
According to the commissioner, aggressive response measures are ongoing, including public awareness campaigns and technical assistance from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, to contain the spread of the virus.
He further explained that although the health sector is affected by brain drain, all 23 general hospitals in the state still have qualified medical doctors, even though recommended staffing levels have not yet been fully met.
While praising Governor Hyacinth Alia for reforms in the health sector, Ogwuche pointed to progress in staff recruitment and infrastructure development.
“The Teaching Hospital has undergone a lot of transformation, accompanied by massive recruitment of workers. Also in our primary health care facilities, recruitments have been done and are still ongoing,” he said.
Speaking on the proposed cancer treatment centre, the commissioner assured residents that the project is progressing steadily.
He added, “Work on the cancer centre is ongoing, but if you look at the details of how these things work to an ordinary person, it looks as if it is stalled.
I have taken a tour of the hospital and seen where they are. The building needs to be customised to the equipment that would be installed. So, it is beyond what you are seeing.”
Ogwuche noted that the project enjoys strong support from the state government and Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu.
“These equipment need to be ordered. It will take months to be delivered, but I assure you that the project is dear to the Governor. The wife of the President, Sen. Remi Tinubu, is also interested in it. It is at her instance that the cancer centre is coming.”
Emphasising the importance of the facility, he said it would greatly benefit residents battling cancer.
“Having a cancer centre close to us will do us a lot of good with what people are passing through with cancer. I assure you that the project is on board. Processing and a lot of things are happening underground.”
The commissioner also cautioned residents ahead of the meningitis season, urging them to avoid overcrowded places and observe preventive health measures.
Lassa fever is a viral haemorrhagic illness caused by the Lassa virus and is mainly transmitted through contact with food, surfaces, or household items contaminated by the urine or droppings of infected Mastomys rats.
Common early symptoms include fever, headache, body weakness, vomiting, and muscle pain. Severe infections may result in hearing loss, organ failure, or death.
Currently, there is no licensed vaccine for Lassa fever. However, early detection, prompt medical care, and treatment with the antiviral drug ribavirin can greatly improve survival outcomes.
