Benue: one die of Lassa fever, 50 others kept under surveillance

Att:Editor from Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

At least one person has been reportedly confirmed dead of Lassa fever, while over 50 identified individuals are currently under surveillance in Ogbadibo and Okpokwu local government areas of Benue State to avert occurrence of secondary infection.

The Benue State Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Paul Ejeh-Ogwuche, disclosed this to newsmen in Makurdi, Thursday, intimating that, for the interest of public safety and containment, he has immediately sealed off a private hospital and mortuary where the corpse was deposited before being evacuated for burial yesterday (Wednesday), pending full decontamination, disinfection, and epidemiological investigation.

Dr. Ogwuche explained that, a woman aged 54, was brought from Ogbadibo local government area and died on Sunday 25th October, 2025, at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, where laboratory analysis confirmed she died of Lassa fever.

He maintained that State Government’s epidemic response efforts moved swiftly to ensure public safety, containment, and restoration of order after reports indicated that the corpse of a Lassa fever victim was forcefully taken away by community youths.

“I personally led a high-powered delegation of health officials and security operatives to Ogbadibo and Okpokwu Local Government Areas, following a confirmed case of Lassa fever and a serious breach of safe burial protocol.

“During initial response efforts, the Ministry’s Rapid Response Team was confronted by some agitated youths while trying to conduct a safe burial, and the body was subsequently taken to a private mortuary in Ugbokolo, Okpokwu Local Government Area.

“Through intensive dialogue with the family, traditional rulers, and youth leaders, the body was successfully retrieved and safely buried in Orokam by the State Safe Burial Team, in line with WHO and NCDC protocols.

“Public health safety is our top priority. The government cannot allow any act that endangers the lives of our citizens. I commend the cooperation of the local government chairmen, traditional rulers and security agencies who stood by us to ensure this situation was peacefully resolved,” the Commissioner stated.

He appealed to residents to avoid handling corpses of persons who die from suspected infectious diseases, and to report any prolonged fever or bleeding symptoms to the nearest health facility without delay, adding that Governor Hyacinth Alia, is committed to protecting lives and maintaining vigilance against public health threat.