Benue State Government has confirmed that ten people have died from Lassa fever in the state.
The State Epidemiologist, Dr Msuega Asema, made this known during a visit by the Commissioner of Health and Human Services, Dr Paul Ejeh-Ogwuche, to isolation centres at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, and Federal Medical Centre, Apir, on Friday.
Asema said the outbreak has also affected health workers.
“The state is currently facing a devastating outbreak of Lassa fever, with 45 cases confirmed positive and 10 cumulative mortality out of 250 suspected cases reported,” he said.
He added that the figures include five medical doctors, four nurses, two community extension workers, and one hospital porter.
Addressing journalists, Ogwuche urged residents not to be alarmed by the numbers, stressing that the government is intensifying efforts to contain the disease, which was declared an outbreak in the state on February 3.
“We have also come here to assess the situation on ground. So far, five doctors and other health workers are involved in this infection. This is human-to-human transmission and the gap is infectious-prevention lapses,” Ogwuche said.
He said the government had deployed surveillance officers across the 23 LGAs to strengthen monitoring, contact tracing, and community engagement.
Ogwuche also called on residents to report symptoms early at designated health facilities.
He commended health workers for their dedication and expressed sympathy to the families of those who lost their lives.
The Chief Medical Director of Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Dr Stephen Hwande, said the hospital had put measures in place to contain the disease and urged residents to follow infection prevention protocols.
Prof. Michael Agbir, Chairman of the hospital’s Medical Advisory Committee, said the outbreak is unusual compared to previous years. Between January and February 2026, the hospital recorded 28 admissions, including 17 confirmed cases and three deaths.
At the Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi, Chief Medical Director Prof. Joseph Kontor said the hospital laboratory has been diagnosing COVID-19, Lassa, chickenpox, cholera, hepatitis B and C, and other conditions.
Kontor, represented by Dr Uche Augustine Azuka, said inadequate power supply is hampering testing and results.
He appealed to the state government to provide consumables and personal protective equipment, adding that patients are treated and discharged free of charge.