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Tor Vande-Acka
MAKURDI – Benue State Government has stated that it recorded only one case of Lassa fever in the last one month, even as it did not record any fatality within the same period.
While the state government noted that it has sustained intensive disease surveillance and rapid response activities across the state, it also reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the health of citizens in the state.
The State Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Paul Ogwuche, who disclosed this while giving journalists an update of issues related to Lassa fever, covering Epidemiological Week 27 to date, from 28th June 2026, in Makurdi, on Thursday.
He explained that the Ministry investigated 45 suspected cases of Lassa fever during the period under review, laboratory analysis confirmed only one positive case, while the remaining suspected cases tested negative.
Ogwuche further announced that no Lassa fever-related death has been recorded within the reporting period, describing the outcome as evidence of the effectiveness of the state’s disease surveillance system, prompt response mechanisms and improved clinical management.
He explained that although the peak transmission season has subsided, the Ministry has deliberately sustained a high level of vigilance because Lassa fever remains endemic in Nigeria and sporadic cases can occur at any time.
The commissioner stated that surveillance activities have continued uninterrupted across all 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs), of the state, with emphasis on early case detection, prompt laboratory confirmation, effective case management, strengthened infection prevention, control measures, and sustained community sensitization.
He attributed the encouraging progress to the visionary leadership and unwavering commitment of the state governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, whose administration has continued to prioritize investments in the health sector through strengthened disease surveillance, improved emergency preparedness, enhanced healthcare service delivery and strategic partnerships aimed at protecting the lives of the people of Benue State.
Ogwuche stated that under Governor Alia’s leadership, the Ministry has sustained a comprehensive response strategy to prevent any resurgence of the disease.
The measures, he observed include continuous surveillance and prompt reporting of suspected cases, rapid laboratory investigation and confirmation, strengthened Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) practices in both public and private health facilities.
Others are regular training and mentoring of healthcare workers, sustained public enlightenment on environmental sanitation, food hygiene and rodent control, as well as close collaboration with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), the World Health Organization (WHO) and other development partners.
Dr. Ogwuche further disclosed that the Ministry has intensified community engagement through traditional rulers, religious leaders, community volunteers and the media to promote preventive practices, encourage early health-seeking behaviour and strengthen public awareness on Lassa fever prevention and control.
He reassured the people of Benue that the administration of Governor Alia remains resolute in its commitment to safeguarding the health and wellbeing of every citizen through sustained investments in disease prevention, surveillance, emergency preparedness and rapid response systems, while ensuring that health facilities across the state remain adequately equipped and prepared to respond swiftly to any suspected case.
