Fresh Lassa Fever Outbreak kills medical doctor in Benue
– another dies of bone marrow failure
From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi
A medical doctor Vitalis Azever Tersoo at the weekend died of Lassa Fever while another Dr. Kondom Cedric died of bone marrow failure in Benue State.
While Vitalis is a senior medical doctor working with AIDS Prevention In Nigeria, APIN Foundation, a non governmental organization in Konshisha local government area of Benue State, Cedric belonged to Medical and Dental Students’ Association
The State Commissioner for Health and Human Service, Dr.Paul Ejeh-Ogwuche, who confirmed the death of Vitalis to journalists in Makurdi on Monday, regretted that it happened at a time when the state was almost completely free from Lassa Fever.
He said the ministry had embarked on case and contact tracings, stating that the victim died after battling with with the disease for over two weeks.
Dr Ogwuche explained that renewed emergency response measures had been activated to contain the spread of the viral disease and protect residents, adding that with this fresh outbreak, the ministry has reactivated its sensitization and awareness campaign especially in the rural communities.
He said, “there is a fresh case of Lassa Fever in the State. Only one doctor died. The victim was buried on Saturday 20th June, 2026. He worked with APIN Foundation in Konshisha local government area of the State, but hailed from Kwande local government axis.
“So far, there is no patient on admission at any hospital in the State. In fact, we wanted to declare the outbreak over before this case came up. The doctor took ill and was managing himself at home and private hospital.
“For over two weeks, he was struggling and when there was no improvement, his friend told him that his situation is suggestive of Lassa Fever and they carried out a casual test on him which turned positive.
“So, when we even wanted to put him on admission at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, he refused, that we should give him drugs and injection. But we insisted that he must go to the hospital. He was eventually taken to the teaching hospital for test”.
According to the commissioner, baseline investigation was conducted on the victim where it was discovered that his kidney was also affected.
“We have to refer him to Jos. So, he actually died in Jos and the corpse was brought from Jos University Teaching Hospital and buried on Saturday”.
Speaking on other measures being taken to forestall further outbreak, Dr. Ogwuche intimated that, the responses to all emergencies are similar, adding that with recent outbreak of Ebola, the Nigeria Center for Disease Control has consistently updated and issued alert to the State.
“Also, we have been doing that. We checked all our facilities, increased our surveillance and for this particular case, we have embarked on case and contact tracings too, spreading the message. We have ongoing engagement with the media for jingles. We are thinking of organizing a seminar in churches and mosque as well as amongst traditional rulers.
“Like I told you earlier, we are about to declare the outbreak over after the 42 incubation period before this case broke out. This is the only case for now. And so, we are still going to wait for another 42 days incubation period before we can think of declaring it over again. But of course, we are looking at it to become endemic now even though it has a season. We need to keep educating the people”, Ogwuche added.
Dr. Tyoor Cedric Kondom who had successfully completed the rigorous demands of medical school is said to be awaiting induction into the Medical and Dental Association in the next ten days, before his demise.
The Benue Medical and Dental Students’ Association announced his death in a tribute, describing him as dedicated and hardworking man whose life was cut short at a crucial moment in his career.
The association also noted that he was an exceptional young professional whose time in medical school was marked by determination, resilience, and commitment to the practice of medicine
“With deep sadness and a profound sense of loss, we join family, friends, and colleagues in mourning the passing of our beloved brother and colleague, Dr. Kondom Cedric, who passed away on Thursday, 18th June 2026,” the association stated.
