Benue records one confirmed Lassa fever case, no deaths in past month

The Benue State government says no death from Lassa fever has been recorded in the state in the past one month, with only one laboratory-confirmed case reported during the period.

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

According to him, “During the period under review, we investigated 45 suspected cases of Lassa fever, but only one was confirmed through laboratory testing, while the others turned out negative. The fact that we recorded no deaths shows that our disease surveillance, rapid response and improved case management are working effectively.”

The commissioner explained that although the peak transmission season had passed, the Ministry of Health had continued to maintain a high level of vigilance because Lassa fever remains endemic in Nigeria and isolated cases could still occur.

He said surveillance activities were ongoing across the state’s 23 local government areas, with emphasis on early detection, laboratory confirmation, effective case management, infection prevention and public awareness.

Ogwuche underscored the Benue State Government’s continued investment in disease surveillance, emergency preparedness and healthcare delivery, as well as its collaboration with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization and other development partners.

He added that the government had intensified community engagement through traditional rulers, religious leaders, community volunteers and the media to encourage preventive practices and early reporting of suspected cases.

“We remain fully prepared to respond to any suspected outbreak. We encourage residents to maintain good environmental hygiene, store food properly to prevent contamination by rodents, 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,” the commissioner said.

Benue records one confirmed Lassa fever case, no deaths in past month