Benue State has recorded 10 deaths and 45 confirmed cases of Lassa fever amid a broader outbreak, according to health authorities who are leading response efforts across the state.
The figures were confirmed following assessments at isolation centres in Makurdi.
The Benue State Government declared a Lassa fever outbreak on February 3, 2026, as suspected infections rose, with more than 250 suspected cases reported across the state.
Health officials have deployed surveillance teams to all 23 local government areas to strengthen monitoring, contact tracing and community engagement aimed at containing the outbreak.
The confirmation of 45 cases and 10 deaths underscores the seriousness of the situation, particularly as the disease has affected frontline health personnel in addition to community members.
The State Epidemiologist, Dr. Msuega Asema, disclosed the outbreak figures during an assessment visit by the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Paul Ogwuche, to isolation centres at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital and the Federal Medical Centre, Apir, in Makurdi.
Of the suspected 250 cases reported in the state, results showed that 45 patients tested positive for the virus, with 10 deaths linked to the infection.
Dr. Asema said infections included health workers on the frontline. Among those affected were five medical doctors, four nurses, two community health extension workers and one hospital porter, highlighting the risk of transmission to healthcare professionals.
During the facility visits, Commissioner Ogwuche acknowledged that human-to-human transmission and lapses in infection prevention protocols contributed to the spread.
He encouraged residents not to panic and reiterated that containment measures continued to be strengthened.
Ogwuche said surveillance officers had been deployed across all 23 local government areas to intensify monitoring, strengthen contact tracing and deepen community engagement for early detection and response.
He also appealed to individuals to promptly report symptoms such as fever, headache, weakness and bleeding at designated health facilities for early diagnosis and treatment.
Officials at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital reported intensified infection prevention measures, while also calling for upgrades to isolation centres including patient monitors, improved waste management systems and the establishment of functional emergency laboratories for on-site testing.
At FMC Apir, health officials noted that laboratory services were being challenged by inadequate power supply, affecting timely diagnostic results.
They appealed to the state government for support with consumables, personal protective equipment and stable electricity.
Logistics at the facility faced constraints, and administrators said patients were being treated and discharged free of charge, a situation placing financial pressure on the centre.
The outbreak has affected both the general population and health workers, underscoring the risks Lassa fever poses in clinical and community settings.
The involvement of frontline medical personnel highlights the importance of strict infection prevention protocols and adequate protective measures in healthcare environments.
The deployment of surveillance teams across local government areas reflects intensified response efforts, with authorities seeking to contain transmission and prevent further fatalities.
Challenges such as inadequate power supply at laboratory facilities and the need for enhanced isolation centre capabilities point to broader infrastructure needs to support disease control and response in the state.
