BENUE PLACES 50 CONTACTS UNDER SURVEILLANCE AFTER WOMAN DIES OF LASSA FEVER
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
The Benue State Government has placed about 50 persons under strict surveillance following the death of a 54-year-old woman from Ogbadibo Local Government Area who tested positive for Lassa fever.
The state’s Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Paul Ogwuche, confirmed this on Thursday while giving an update on the state’s response to the incident.
According to him, the deceased died on Sunday at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH), Makurdi, where laboratory analysis confirmed she was infected with Lassa fever.
Her death sparked panic across Ogbadibo and neighbouring Okpokwu Local Government Areas, after reports emerged that some youths forcefully took her remains from a private morgue in Ugbokolo.
Dr. Ogwuche said he personally led a high-powered delegation of health officials and security operatives to both LGAs to ensure public safety, containment, and restoration of order.
“During the initial response, our Rapid Response Team was confronted by some agitated youths while trying to conduct a safe burial,” the commissioner said.
“Through intensive dialogue with the family, traditional rulers, and youth leaders, the body was successfully retrieved and safely buried in Orokam, Ogbadibo LGA, by the State Safe Burial Team in line with WHO and NCDC protocols.”
He disclosed that the private hospital and mortuary where the corpse had been kept had been temporarily closed for decontamination, disinfection, and further epidemiological investigation.
“All hospital staff and close contacts are under surveillance to prevent secondary infection. About 50 contacts have been identified and are being closely monitored,” he said.
The commissioner added that health education sessions had been conducted across both LGAs to enhance public awareness, encourage hygiene, and prevent panic.
He commended the cooperation of local government chairmen, traditional rulers, and security operatives in ensuring a coordinated response.
Dr. Ogwuche appealed to residents to avoid handling corpses of persons suspected to have died from infectious diseases and to report any prolonged fever or bleeding symptoms to the nearest health facility immediately.
Lassa fever has been a recurring concern in Benue State. In September, the State Epidemiologist, Dr. Asema Msuega, reported 243 suspected cases of Lassa fever since January 2025, with 13 deaths, including that of a health worker.
Eighteen of those cases were confirmed through laboratory testing, while several deaths were classified as probable due to the absence of test samples.
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