According to the Benue State Government, 26 Lassa fever deaths and a few additional instances of the viral illness were reported in 2024.

Dr. Msuega Asema, the epidemiologist for Benue State, said this on Monday.

According to him, the state is suspected of having Lassa fever, which killed three members of the same family.

According to Dr. Asema, the incidence was reported approximately two weeks ago in the state’s Okpokwu Local Government Area.

According to him, the Ministry of Health and Human Services has warned all of its emergency response systems to be vigilant for any contagious diseases that can jeopardize public safety and health.

He urged residents of the state to constantly make sure their surroundings are hygienic and  healthy.

Lassa fever and the Ebola virus are both zoonotic acute viral infections that are spread from animals to humans, according to Asema, who also serves as the Manager of the Public Health Emergency Operation Center.

According to him, “Probable death is when a person passes away without samples being taken beforehand; the patient is not tested, but when family members later arrive with similar symptoms, we call it Lassa.”

Therefore, out of the 26 recorded fatalities in 2024, 11 were confirmed, while the remaining deaths are likely.

“Although the Ministry of Health and Human Services has not formally declared the outbreak, we are still dealing with it at this time. However, there are isolated suspected instances here and there.

“Unfortunately, samples were not taken prior to the deaths of three members of one family in Okpokwu who passed away two weeks ago from Lassa fever symptoms.”

According to Dr. Asema, the state has the manpower, ability, and technical know-how to respond to a viral illness outbreak thanks to its response infrastructure, such as its public health emergency operation centers.

He noted that the state had documented Lassa fever instances over the previous three years, cautioned the public to practice proper hygiene, and forewarned them against close contact with those suspected of having an excessive fever even after they had taken all prescribed drugs and were not improving.

He claimed that these cases frequently exhibit Lassa fever symptoms.