Benue recorded one Lassa fever case in one month – Commissioner

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By Peter Duru

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Benue State Government has announced that only one laboratory-confirmed case of Lassa fever was recorded in the state in the past month, with no fatality, attributing the outcome to sustained disease surveillance, prompt response and improved case management.

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Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Paul Ogwuche, disclosed this on Thursday in Makurdi while speaking on the state’s Lassa fever situation report covering Epidemiological Week 27 to date, beginning from June 28, 2026.

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According to the commissioner, although the peak transmission season had passed, the ministry had maintained a high level of vigilance because Lassa fever remains endemic in Nigeria and isolated cases could occur at any time.

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He explained that surveillance activities had continued across the state’s 23 local government areas, focusing on early case detection, prompt laboratory confirmation, effective case management, strengthened infection prevention and control measures, as well as sustained public sensitisation.

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Giving an update on the disease situation, Ogwuche said the ministry investigated 45 suspected cases during the period under review, with laboratory tests confirming only one positive case, while the remaining samples returned negative results.

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He said, “No Lassa fever-related death has been recorded within the reporting period. This demonstrates the effectiveness of our disease surveillance system, prompt response mechanisms and improved clinical management.”

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The commissioner attributed the positive outcome to what he described as the commitment of Governor Hyacinth Alia’s administration to strengthening the health sector through sustained investments in disease surveillance, emergency preparedness, healthcare delivery and collaboration with partners, including the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), the World Health Organization (WHO) and other development agencies.

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He added that the state had intensified community engagement through traditional rulers, religious leaders, community volunteers and the media to promote preventive practices and encourage early health-seeking behaviour.

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Reassuring residents that the government remained prepared to respond to any suspected outbreak, Ogwuche urged the public to maintain good environmental sanitation, store food properly to prevent rodent contamination, avoid contact with rodents and their droppings, and seek immediate medical attention if they experience symptoms such as persistent fever, weakness, sore throat, vomiting or unexplained bleeding.

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“Early diagnosis and prompt treatment remain the most effective means of improving survival and preventing the spread of Lassa fever,” the commissioner said.

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