According to him, two new cases were recently added to the state’s disease surveillance dashboard, bringing the total number of suspected cases to nine.
Fresh panic has hit Benue State following the death of two persons from Lassa fever barely one week after seven cases of the deadly disease were recorded.
The Benue State Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Paul Ogwuche, disclosed on Thursday in Makurdi that the state has witnessed a disturbing surge in Lassa fever cases within the last two weeks.
According to him, two new cases were recently added to the state’s disease surveillance dashboard, bringing the total number of suspected cases to nine.
Out of these, five have tested positive, with two fatalities already recorded.
Dr. Ogwuche revealed that the infections are concentrated mainly in Buruku and Makurdi Local Government Areas, noting with concern that two health workers are among those infected.
“As we speak, there are nine suspected cases of Lassa fever on our dashboard. Five have returned positive results and we have recorded two deaths. Among the confirmed cases are two health workers,” he said.
He explained that two of the cases originated from Buruku but were diagnosed in Makurdi, underscoring the risk of further spread if urgent containment measures are not sustained.
The commissioner said the state government has activated its rapid response mechanisms, including the Incident Management Team and the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre, to curb the outbreak.
He added that public enlightenment campaigns have been intensified, urging residents to improve hygiene, maintain proper sanitation, and avoid contact with rodents, the primary carriers of the virus.
“During the dry season, bush burning forces rats into homes. When food is left uncovered, they contaminate it. This is a major route of transmission,” Ogwuche warned.
He said surveillance has been heightened across all local government areas, stressing that early detection and prompt treatment remain the most effective ways to reduce deaths.
Ogwuche noted that the two newly diagnosed cases are not yet showing symptoms but have been isolated as a precaution, with treatment protocols already initiated.
He further disclosed that the state is convening an emergency stakeholders’ meeting involving the Federal Medical Centre, the Teaching Hospital hosting the isolation centre, the World Health Organisation, epidemiologists, and donor partners to strengthen response efforts.
“Our goal is clear: to contain this deadly disease before it spirals out of control,” he said.