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A shadow of concern has fallen over Benue State as the Ministry of Health confirmed two fatalities from a sudden spike in Lassa fever cases. Within just two weeks, the state’s disease surveillance dashboard has recorded nine suspected cases, with the virus increasingly hitting close to home for the medical community.
Addressing newsmen on Thursday, January 22, 2026, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Paul Ogwuche, revealed that five of the nine suspected cases have officially tested positive. Among the newly infected are two health workers, a development that highlights the high risk faced by first responders in the state’s battle against the viral hemorrhagic fever.
Buruku and Makurdi in the Eye of the Storm
The outbreak is currently concentrated in two major hubs: *Buruku* and *Makurdi* Local Government Areas (LGAs). While some patients were diagnosed in the state capital, investigations showed they had traveled from Buruku, indicating a potential chain of transmission within those communities.
Dr. Ogwuche noted that the ministry is moving swiftly to prevent further spread. “The two most recent cases are not yet showing symptoms, but we are taking no chances,” he explained. “They will be placed in isolation immediately to begin management protocols before the disease progresses.”
The “Rat Run”: Dry Season Risks
Health experts are warning that the current weather is a primary driver of the outbreak. During the dry season, common practice involves burning bushes and grasses, which inadvertently flushes rodents, the primary carriers of Lassa fever, out of their natural habitats and into human homes in search of shelter and food.
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“When food, especially raw staples, is left uncovered, these rodents contaminate it with their waste,” Dr. Ogwuche warned. He urged residents to embrace “heightened suspicion” regarding any persistent health issues and to maintain strict household sanitation.
State Response and Stakeholder Mobilization
In response to the two deaths, the Benue State Government has activated its Public Health Emergency Operations Centre. An Incident Rapid Response Team is now on the ground, and disease surveillance officers across all 23 LGAs have been placed on high alert.
The Ministry of Health has scheduled an emergency stakeholders’ meeting involving key health institutions and international partners to harmonize containment efforts. Residents are advised to look out for red-flag symptoms, including:
* Prolonged fever that refuses to break
* General body weakness and fatigue
* Unexplained bleeding from the nose, mouth, or other body parts
The Commissioner emphasized that while the situation is serious, early diagnosis remains the most effective tool for survival. He urged anyone experiencing these symptoms to report to the nearest health facility immediately rather than resorting to self-medication.
