Lassa fever: Benue moves to contain outbreak

By Peter Duru, Makurdi

The Benue State Ministry of Health and Human Services has convened a strategic meeting with critical stakeholders and development partners to strengthen efforts aimed at containing the ongoing Lassa fever outbreak in the state.

Addressing the meeting held Thursday, the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Paul Ogwuche, welcomed representatives of various partner organisations and health professionals, expressing appreciation for their continued support to the state in addressing the public health emergency.

Dr Ogwuche noted that the gathering was necessary in view of the increasing number of Lassa fever cases since the outbreak was officially declared on February 3, 2026.

According to him, coordinated collaboration among stakeholders is key to effectively managing the situation and protecting residents.

“We appreciate the presence and commitment of our partners who have continued to support Benue State in addressing this outbreak. Through collaboration, we can strengthen our response and safeguard the health of our people,” the commissioner said.

The engagement brought together representatives from major health organisations including the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), all of whom are supporting the state’s emergency response efforts.

During the meeting, the WHO presented Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to the ministry to support frontline healthcare workers involved in managing the outbreak.

The donation is expected to strengthen infection prevention and control measures and enhance the protection of medical personnel handling suspected and confirmed cases.

The WHO delegation also stressed the urgency of implementing immediate interventions to reduce infections among healthcare workers and reinforce protective measures across health facilities in the state.

The NCDC disclosed that previous assessments had revealed gaps in surveillance systems, case management, and infection prevention and control practices within some health facilities. They recommended targeted interventions to strengthen the state’s capacity to respond effectively to the outbreak.

UNICEF, on its part, outlined plans to intensify risk communication and community engagement programmes aimed at increasing public awareness, encouraging early reporting of symptoms, and promoting preventive practices among residents.

Similarly, Médecins Sans Frontières reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the state through technical and operational assistance while helping to address both short-term and medium-term challenges affecting effective outbreak control.

Dr Ogwuche commended the development partners for their unwavering support and reaffirmed the commitment of the Benue state government to strengthening collaboration in order to address identified gaps and safeguard the health of citizens.

He further noted that the ongoing interventions align with the health sector development agenda and the broader vision of Governor Hyacinth Alia, which prioritises improved healthcare delivery and the wellbeing of the people of the state.

The partners renewed assurances to enhance coordination, strengthen technical support, and implement effective strategies aimed at bringing the Lassa fever outbreak under control in Benue State.

As part of the coordinated response strategy, the stakeholders visited designated isolation centres and molecular laboratories across the state to assess operational capacity, review ongoing interventions, and identify critical gaps requiring urgent attention.